boulder

noun

boul·​der ˈbōl-dər How to pronounce boulder (audio)
variants or less commonly
: 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.
Without being able to seep into the ground, that water flows downhill, pushing mud and possibly rocks, branches, massive boulders and other debris toward foothill communities. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025 The house blends into its surroundings by using materials like river rocks and giant boulders that double as walls, barriers and volumes. Roxana Popescu, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 Common wisdom says that scrambling up a simple 60-foot boulder in New York's Central Park is less risky than climbing a steep pitch 13,000 feet above the ground on Wyoming's Grand Teton. Jim Clash, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024 Maria Review: Angelina Jolie Is Terrific (If Less Than Note-Perfect) as Tragic Diva Maria Callas Romy, of course, is risking a hailstorm — think really large stones, or smallish boulders — that could destroy her career and alienate her colleagues and her husband (Antonio Banderas). Tom Gliatto, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near boulder

Cite this Entry

“Boulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boulder. Accessed 7 Feb. 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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