bolster

1 of 2

noun

bol·​ster ˈbōl-stər 

1

: a long pillow or cushion

2

: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing (see bearing sense 5)

bolster

2 of 2

verb

bolstered; bolstering ˈbōl-st(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to support with or as if with a bolster : reinforce

lay bolstered up in bed

extra men will bolster already augmented dock details

—Stanley Levey

2

: to give a boost to

news that bolstered his spirits

bolsterer

ˈbōl-stər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Verb

• sustain
• support
• carry
• uphold

Examples of bolster in a Sentence

Verb

She came with me to bolster my confidence.

a convincing argument that was bolstered by the speaker's reputation

She is thinking of ways to bolster her career.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Also, Japanese knives are thinner and lighter than regular Western knives, because traditional Japanese knives have no bolster, which is the band that joins the blade of the knife to its handle. —Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

As Mars and Chiron harmonize, working hard bolsters confidence, freeing you from a mental rut. —Usa Today, USA Today, 10 June 2025

Verb

From there, the Rockets bolstered its wing depth by signing Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year deal to replace Dillon Brooks’ three-and-d production. —Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Adding Smith bolsters Pittsburgh's group of pass-catchers, which added All-Pro wideout DK Metcalf but lost 1,100-yard receiver George Pickens, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English belg bag — more at belly

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bolster

• holster
• pollster

Kids Definition

bolster

1 of 2 noun

bol·​ster ˈbōl-stər 

1

: a long pillow or cushion

2

: a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support

bolster

2 of 2 verb

bolstered; bolstering -st(ə-)riŋ 

: to support with or as if with a bolster

also : reinforce

came with me to bolster my spirits

bolsterer

-stər-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

bolster

transitive verb

bol·​ster

ˈbōl-stər

: to use evidence usually improperly to give weight to (evidence already introduced)