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.
The Promenade de la Playa team is working on paperwork to submit to the city that will include plans and drawings for things such as signs, bollards, trees and shrubs, removal of on-street lines and improvements to outdoor dining spaces. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 On Wednesday night, Sohail was recorded patiently removing bollards and clearing away snow from the building’s side entrance before ramming his car into the door, causing more than $1,500 worth of damage. Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026 The streamer spent several years attempting to establish its service in China, but gave up after hitting censorship bollards time and time again. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026 During the roughly four minutes that the two men were inside the gallery, one staff member can be seen holding a bollard used to orient visitors through the gallery, according to France Televisions. CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026 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 7 Feb. 2026.

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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