boulder

noun

boul·​der ˈbōl-dər 

variants or less commonly bowlder

: a detached and rounded or much-worn mass of rock

bouldered

ˈbōl-dərd 

adjective

bouldery

ˈbōl-d(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of boulder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That love of nature inspired Donna to create a Sierra Nevada–inspired backyard at her home, complete with a small waterfall, boulders, beautiful roses and tall redwoods. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 7 May 2025

One 2017 study concluded that 1,114 boulders—more than 97% of the boulders in the greater Queen Creek area—as well as 149 sport routes and 38 trad routes will be affected by permanent closures in three crags: Euro Dog Valley, The Mine, and Oak Flat itself. —Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025

The bottom was buried under a mass of slabs and boulders. —Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025

Heat president Pat Riley has always sought to follow up a big splash by tossing another boulder into the pond. —Jared Weiss, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for boulder

• bolder
• bowlder
• colder
• folder
• golder
• holder
• molder
• moulder
• older
• polder
• shoulder
• beholder

Kids Definition

boulder

noun

boul·​der ˈbōl-dər 

: a large detached and rounded or worn mass of rock

Geographical Definition

Boulder

geographical name

Boul·​der ˈbōl-dər 

city northwest of Denver in north central Colorado population 97,385