boll

noun

: the usually roundish pod or capsule of some plants (such as cotton or flax)

Examples of boll in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hurricane Helene hit the southeast growing region of the U.S. cotton belt at a time when about 75 percent of bolls were open and exposed to the elements. Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 Outlines of flowers, leaves and cotton bolls mark the glass panels in the station shelters. Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 Top things off with uniquely Southern elements, straight from your local florist, nursery, or—even better—your own backyard, like a single cotton boll, eucalyptus flowers, or shiny Elaeagnus leaves. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2023 In Texas in June, cotton plants alarmingly shed their bolls, the hard fruits that hold the valuable fiber, in order to survive the metabolic stress of hot nights. WIRED, 4 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for boll 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boll.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of boll was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near boll

Cite this Entry

“Boll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boll. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

boll

noun
: the usually roundish pod of some plants
cotton bolls

Biographical Definition

Böll

biographical name

ˈbəl How to pronounce Böll (audio)
ˈbœl
Heinrich Theodor 1917–1985 German writer

More from Merriam-Webster on boll

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