A paved runway is a type of airstrip that is made from a hard, durable surface such as asphalt or concrete. It is designed to provide a smooth and level surface for aircraft to take off and land on. The term 'TARMAC' is often used to refer to a paved runway, as it is derived from the phrase 'tar-macadam, ' which was used to describe the process of laying down tar and gravel to form a hard surface.