bolster

1 of 2

noun

bol·​ster ˈbōl-stər 

1

: a long pillow or cushion

2

: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing (see bearing sense 5)

bolster

2 of 2

verb

bolstered; bolstering ˈbōl-st(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to support with or as if with a bolster : reinforce

lay bolstered up in bed

extra men will bolster already augmented dock details

—Stanley Levey

2

: to give a boost to

news that bolstered his spirits

bolsterer

ˈbōl-stər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• bear
• brace
• buttress
• carry
• prop (up)
• shore (up)
• stay
• support
• sustain
• undergird
• underpin
• uphold

Examples of bolster in a Sentence

Verb

She came with me to bolster my confidence.

a convincing argument that was bolstered by the speaker's reputation

She is thinking of ways to bolster her career.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shams, euros, bolsters, and more are all great additions. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2024

Evidence that humans controlled at least some of the animals’ diet bolsters that claim. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2024

Verb

In early December, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, a group made up of representatives from local governments, called for more volunteers to bolster this program. —Jess Huff, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Dec. 2024

Without this funding, the library’s core functions — bolstering early childhood literacy, educational attainment, career support and lifelong learning into adulthood — are impaired. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English belg bag — more at belly

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bolster

1 of 2 noun

bol·​ster ˈbōl-stər 

1

: a long pillow or cushion

2

: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support

bolster

2 of 2 verb

bolstered; bolstering -st(ə-)riŋ 

: to support with or as if with a bolster

also : reinforce

came with me to bolster my spirits

bolsterer

-stər-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

bolster

transitive verb

bol·​ster

ˈbōl-stər

: to use evidence usually improperly to give weight to (evidence already introduced)