paving stone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Everyday, Technical (construction/landscaping)
Quick answer
What does “paving stone” mean?
A flat, typically rectangular piece of stone or concrete used to create a hard surface for walking or driving on, such as a path, pavement (sidewalk), or patio.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flat, typically rectangular piece of stone or concrete used to create a hard surface for walking or driving on, such as a path, pavement (sidewalk), or patio.
Can refer figuratively to any fundamental element that forms the foundation of a system, process, or structure, suggesting solidity and support.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'paving stone' or 'paving slab' is common. In the US, 'paving stone' is used, but 'paver' (or 'stone paver', 'concrete paver') is more frequent in construction/DIY contexts. The general term 'flagstone' is also used for natural stone types in both regions.
Connotations
UK usage often carries stronger historical/architectural associations (e.g., with cobblestone streets). US usage is often more pragmatic, associated with modern landscaping and driveways.
Frequency
The term is moderately common in both varieties, with 'paver' being distinctly more frequent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “paving stone” in a Sentence
[Verb] + paving stone + [with/into/etc.] (e.g., lay paving stones with sand)[Adjective] + paving stone (e.g., cracked paving stone)paving stone + [Verb] (e.g., the paving stone came loose)[Preposition] + paving stone (e.g., a patio made of paving stones)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paving stone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to paving stone the patio before the summer.
American English
- They're planning to paver the entire walkway.
adjective
British English
- The paving-stone contractor gave us a good quote.
American English
- We chose a paver installation for the driveway.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in landscaping, construction, or building materials supply.
Academic
Rare; may appear in archaeology, architecture, or urban planning texts describing materials.
Everyday
Common in contexts of gardening, home improvement, and describing urban environments.
Technical
Common in landscaping, civil engineering, and masonry, specifying material type, size, and bedding methods.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paving stone”
- Using 'pavement stone' (non-standard). Treating it as an uncountable noun (*'some paving stone' vs. 'some paving stones'). Confusing it with 'curbstone' or 'kerbstone' (the edge stone).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A paving stone is typically flat and rectangular, used for modern paths and patios. A cobblestone is a naturally rounded, small stone, historically used for street surfaces, creating a rougher, more uneven texture.
It is countable. You refer to 'a paving stone' or 'several paving stones'. The material as a whole is 'paving' or 'pavers' (e.g., 'We bought some new paving for the garden').
It is not standard. The verb is 'to pave'. 'Paving stone' is almost exclusively a noun. You 'pave' an area 'with' paving stones.
Typically, a compacted sub-base of hardcore (rubble) is laid first, followed by a layer of sharp sand or a sand-cement mix to bed the stones firmly and allow for drainage and leveling.
A flat, typically rectangular piece of stone or concrete used to create a hard surface for walking or driving on, such as a path, pavement (sidewalk), or patio.
Paving stone is usually everyday, technical (construction/landscaping) in register.
Paving stone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪvɪŋ stəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪvɪŋ stoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set in stone”
- “a stumbling block (conceptual, not literal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine PAYING for a STONE path. You're PAYing for a paving STONE.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOUNDATION IS A PAVED PATH (e.g., 'paving the way for progress'; paving stones as the individual steps or elements of that foundation).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is MOST specific and commonly used in American DIY/landscaping for a concrete 'paving stone'?