bollard

noun

bol·​lard ˈbä-lərd How to pronounce bollard (audio)
 British also  ˈbä-ˌläd
1
: a post of metal or wood on a wharf around which to fasten mooring lines
2
3
chiefly British : any of a series of short posts set at intervals to delimit an area (such as a traffic island) or to exclude vehicles

Examples of bollard 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.
The heavily trafficked thoroughfare did not have vehicle security barriers, known as bollards, at the time of the attack. Daniella Silva, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025 Then, following the 2017 bike path attack, New York City announced a plan to install 1,500 bollards in some of the city's most populated spaces as a way to block vehicles. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 4 Jan. 2025 Context: Vehicle-resistant bollards are typically in place during busy nights at the corner of Bourbon and Canal Streets, preventing drivers from heading down Bourbon Street. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025 The bollards were being replaced with new removable stainless-steel bollards from Canal Street to St. Ann Street. George Petras, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bollard

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from bole

First Known Use

circa 1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bollard was circa 1763

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Cite this Entry

“Bollard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bollard. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bollard

noun
bol·​lard ˈbäl-ərd How to pronounce bollard (audio)
: a post of metal or wood on a wharf around which to fasten mooring lines

More from Merriam-Webster on bollard

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