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.
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 And while some sections of the barrier are made of tall steel bollards — measuring up to 30 feet high — others are composed of mesh or chain-link fencing, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unveiled the plans Aug. 19 in a news conference in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, while workers ran paint rollers up the steel bollards behind her. Adam Powell, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025 Initially that meant better lighting and sidewalks for security but will soon include the installation of security bollards along the streets that ring the stadium. Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 4 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 Sep. 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

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