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.
Plans call for the roadway’s wide two-way, left-turn lane areas to be narrowed, creating extra space for bigger bike lanes with protective plastic bollards. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025 The cost for the new bollards is estimated at about $500,000. Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025 The firm reports that its bollards can stop semitrucks travelling up to 50 miles per hour. Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025 Oswego Village Administrator Dan Di Santo told The Beacon-News on Friday that Portillo’s has submitted drawings to the village for permit review in order to add bollards and wheel stops, the concrete blocks installed in parking spaces, to the front of the Oswego building. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 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 10 Nov. 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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