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

However, Aimee Raymond, Spier’s brand manager, told me kids often just like climbing the big boulders found throughout the property. —Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025

The plan is to deposit about 540,000 cubic yards of sand on the north and south ends of town, along with rock boulders, between the tracks and the ocean, and build catchment walls on the inland side near Mariposa Beach. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025

His next plan is to add lights to the setup so that everyone in the neighborhood can see the boulder at night. —Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Massive columns, slender spires and impossibly balanced boulders loom above the timber. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 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