1
[Medieval Latin] : the round usually lead seal attached to a papal bull
2
[New Latin, from Latin] : a hollow thin-walled rounded bony prominence
3
: a large vesicle or blister

Examples of bulla 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.
So please, all the lefty-loosey and righty-tighty Venezuela zealots, spare us your bulla — and try using your noggins now. Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2024 Officials confirmed his identification, describing the small artifact as a 250-year-old lead seal, or bulla, from a papal bull. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulla was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bulla

Cite this Entry

“Bulla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulla. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

1
: a hollow thin-walled rounded bony prominence
2
: a large vesicle or blister compare bleb

More from Merriam-Webster on bulla

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