Pave
verb Base: pave | Past: paved | Past Participle: paved | -ing: paving | 3rd person: paves
Definition
1. To cover a road, path, or area with a hard surface such as stone, concrete, or bricks.
2. To make it possible or easier for something to happen.
2. To make it possible or easier for something to happen.
Context Alive
The village had been waiting years for the council to take action. Workers finally arrived to pave the muddy road that connected the houses to the main highway. Within weeks, the drive that used to take thirty minutes on a bumpy dirt track was smooth and quick.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 Covering a Surface with Hard Material (Verb) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about laying stone, concrete, or bricks over the ground to create a solid, flat surface. Imagine a dirt road full of holes and puddles that becomes impossible to drive on when it rains. A construction crew arrives with concrete and machinery to pave it, turning it into a smooth, proper road. This is paving — covering ground with hard material. You might say “they’re paving the driveway this weekend” or “the old square was paved with beautiful cobblestones.” Or picture a garden where someone decides to pave a small area near the back door to create a patio for summer barbecues. The word suggests creating something solid and permanent where there was bare ground before. ✏️ This verb is very often used in the passive — “the road was paved” or “the courtyard is paved with stone” are far more common than the active form.
Vivid ExampleThe children used to play on a dusty patch of land behind the school. Over the summer, the council came in and paved it with smooth concrete to create a proper playground. When the kids came back in September, they couldn’t believe the transformation.
2 Making Something Possible — Pave the Way (Verb) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about creating the conditions that allow something to happen in the future. You know when one person’s success opens doors for others who come after them? That first person paved the way. This is removing obstacles so progress becomes possible. You might hear “her research paved the way for a new treatment” or “the agreement paved the way for lasting peace between the two countries.” Or think about a student who works incredibly hard and gets into a top university, paving the way for her younger siblings to believe they can do it too. The word carries a sense of preparation and making things smoother for what comes next. ✏️ This meaning almost always appears as the expression “pave the way for” — you’ll rarely see it used on its own in this figurative sense.
Vivid ExampleThe young scientist published a groundbreaking paper that changed how everyone thought about the disease. Her findings paved the way for a whole new generation of treatments. Within five years, thousands of patients were benefiting from therapies that wouldn’t have existed without her work.
Examples from the Street
“Her groundbreaking research paved the way for modern cancer treatment.”
Her original scientific work created the conditions that made today’s treatments possible
“They’re finally going to pave the car park — it’s been gravel for years.”
They’re going to cover the parking area with a hard surface at last
“Good intentions don’t mean much if they don’t pave the way for real action.”
Positive wishes are worthless if they don’t lead to actual change
Common Patterns
pave the way for something → create the conditions or opportunities that make something possible
pave the way for someone (to do something) → make it easier for a person to achieve or access something
help pave the way → contribute to creating the conditions for future progress
pave the way to/toward(s) something → create a route leading to a particular outcome
paved with good intentions → full of well-meaning plans that often lead to bad results (from the proverb “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”)
pave a road/street/path → cover a surface with asphalt, concrete, or stone
pave a driveway/car park/area → lay a hard surface over ground
pave over something → cover a natural surface (grass, earth) with concrete or stone
newly/freshly paved → recently covered with a new hard surface
paved with (material) → covered using a particular type of stone or material
Collocations
2 collocationspave the way for
create conditions that allow something to happen
pave the road to success
build the foundation for achievement
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
The peace agreement paved the way for decades of stability in the region.
The deal to end the conflict created the conditions that allowed the area to remain calm and secure for many years.
2
Her success in the 1990s paved the way for a whole generation of female entrepreneurs.
What she achieved thirty years ago opened up opportunities that allowed many women who came after her to start their own businesses.
3
The new legislation will help pave the way for renewable energy investment across the country.
The recently introduced law will contribute to creating conditions that attract money into clean power projects nationwide.
4
These early experiments paved the way toward a full understanding of how the virus spreads.
Those initial scientific tests led step by step to a complete picture of how the infection moves between people.
5
The council voted to pave over the old playground and build a car park instead.
The local authority decided to cover the former children’s play area with concrete and turn it into a space for vehicles.
6
They paved the driveway last summer, and it already has cracks in it.
They laid a hard surface on the area in front of the garage during the warm months last year, and it’s already showing signs of damage.
7
The streets of the old town are paved with beautiful cobblestones from the 18th century.
The roads in the historic district are covered with attractive rounded stones that have been there for over two hundred years.
8
The freshly paved road was smooth and perfect — a huge improvement on the old surface.
The recently resurfaced street was flat and flawless — a massive upgrade compared to the previous worn-out covering.
9
You know what they say — the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
As the old saying goes — being full of well-meaning plans means nothing if they lead to bad results.
10
Social media paved the way for ordinary people to build audiences without needing traditional media.
Online platforms created the opportunity for everyday individuals to attract followers without relying on television, radio, or newspapers.
Learner Examples
★
Learning phonics properly in the early years paves the way for stronger reading and writing skills later on.
Developing a solid understanding of letter sounds at a young age creates the foundation for better literacy abilities in the future.
★
Teachers who encourage curiosity in the classroom are helping pave the way for lifelong learners.
Instructors who promote a desire to discover new things during lessons are contributing to the development of people who continue learning throughout their lives.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
4 items
Phrasal Verbspave over — cover a surface with pavement
They paved over the old parking lot last summer.
pave the way — create conditions for progress
Early research paved the way for modern medicine.
Idioms & Expressionspaved with gold — full of opportunities
She thought the big city streets were paved with gold.
road to hell is paved with good intentions — good plans can lead to bad results
He meant well, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymssurface
cover with material
prepare
figurative, make ready
lay
put down a surface
smooth the way
make easier
Antonymsblock
create obstacles
obstruct
get in the way