boulder

noun

boul·​der ˈbōl-dər How to pronounce boulder (audio)
variants or less commonly bowlder
: a detached and rounded or much-worn mass of rock
bouldered adjective
bouldery adjective

Examples of boulder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sport climbing, which made a splash in its Tokyo Olympic debut, is expanding too: In Los Angeles, boulder and lead climbing will be split into separate medal events. Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 Backers are awaiting guidance from the city of San Diego on the size of the boulders and pelicans. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025 Swept by dramatic tides, the shore is strewn with spectacular boulders and rock formations among sandy beaches. Mary Winston Nicklin, AFAR Media, 7 Apr. 2025 The boulder caused significant damage to the two-story building but no injuries were reported. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boulder

Word History

Etymology

short for boulder stone, from Middle English bulder ston, partial translation of a word of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect bullersten large stone in a stream, from buller noise + sten stone

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of boulder was in 1607

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Cite this Entry

“Boulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boulder. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

boulder

noun
boul·​der ˈbōl-dər How to pronounce boulder (audio)
: a large detached and rounded or worn mass of rock

Geographical Definition

Boulder

geographical name

Boul·​der ˈbōl-dər How to pronounce Boulder (audio)
city northwest of Denver in north central Colorado population 97,385

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