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

The main cabin has a charming living space with vaulted ceilings, a granite boulder fireplace, dining area, kitchen and large deck overlooking the water. —Emma Reynolds, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

Muir Rock is a large, granite boulder hanging over the Kings River in the belly of the park’s canyon. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 20 June 2025

Attacking the concepts with an edge of Black Mirror, youthful characters forgo the stress of a body altogether and upload themselves to a neural computer network, seek oblivion from sentient boulders. —Michelle Tea june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025

Authorities said the boulder fell on Medford about 1 mile down Northfork Drive. —Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 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