boulder

noun

boul·​der ˈbōl-dər How to pronounce boulder (audio)
variants or less commonly bowlder
: a detached and rounded or much-worn mass of rock
bouldered
ˈbōl-dərd How to pronounce boulder (audio)
adjective
bouldery
ˈbōl-d(ə-)rē How to pronounce boulder (audio)
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.
The incident occurred after the UTV, which was being driven by the 14-year-old, appeared to veer off the side of the driveway and strike a boulder. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 Parts of the beach are rimmed by pink granite boulders, which add another colorful dimension to the seascape. — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 In June, authorities received a call for an injured hiker, Lillian Rodriguez of Redlands, who is suspected to have been hit in the head by a large boulder, according to Gloria Orejel, spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Moving boulders like sand In 1976, people in the canyon who survived the flood described hearing what sounded like a train coming at them. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 2026 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

Rhymes for boulder

See All Rhymes for boulder

Browse Nearby Words

boulangerite
boulder
Boulder
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Cite this Entry

“Boulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boulder. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on boulder

Nglish: Translation of boulder for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boulder

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