The apron, ramp, or taxiway areas of an airport where ground operations take place. Although actual tarmacadam is rarely used in airport construction, the public and media still use the term to describe any paved area outside the runway. Aviation professionals generally prefer specific terms like ramp or apron for the parking areas.
Heard on the job
We were stuck on the tarmac for two hours waiting for a gate to open up.
Insider tip
Using the word tarmac to describe the ramp is a quick way to reveal you are not an aviation insider.
Do not mix it up with
- Apron: Tarmac is a colloquial term for any paved airport surface, while the apron is the specific designated parking and loading area.