bolster

1 of 2

noun

bol·​ster ˈbōl-stər How to pronounce bolster (audio)
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 How to pronounce bolster (audio)

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 detailsStanley Levey
2
: to give a boost to
news that bolstered his spirits
bolsterer noun

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
Where the Blazer’s seats are flat and lacking in support, the Prologue has some heft to the side bolsters to keep you in place while going through corners. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Sinking into the perforated leather seats with ultra suede bolsters, wrapping my hands around the leather and wood steering wheel and seeing the road framed ahead of me was glorious. Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 The seat's lumbar padding has been improved, and the subtle shaping of their bolsters delivers better support than their flatness suggests. Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 24 Apr. 2023 This unique and luxurious dog bed features a sturdy aluminum frame with a plush 4-inch bolster cushion, providing your pup with superior comfort. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2023 The bolsters are good along the lower torso but erode too much up higher. Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 18 Apr. 2023 The bed's bolster sides provide a sense of security for those dogs who love to curl up and snuggle. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2023 Oddly enough, despite the general increase in size, the new 911 has also lost its glove box to a new passenger-airbag location and knee bolster. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 28 July 2023 There’s also a bolster around the edges to prevent you from rolling off. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 9 Dec. 2023
Verb
Observers will be parsing how leaders discuss or comment on key issues like China’s position on the self-governing island of Taiwan, its relations with the US and bid to strengthen innovation as Washington bolsters tech export controls. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 The plan is being developed by the city’s Office of Child and Youth Success with the nonprofit Social Advocates for Youth, or SAY San Diego, to address any gaps in resources and bolster the voices of the more than 400,000 San Diegans under 25. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 This time around, IATSE is bolstering its bargaining muscle by negotiating key aspects of the contract jointly with the Hollywood Basic Crafts union as well as Hollywood Teamsters. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024 In the case of Ukraine, says Kirby, those were to support Kyiv’s success on the battlefield, bolster NATO, and avoid drawing the U.S. directly into the war. TIME, 29 Feb. 2024 Republicans will be obstinate in refusing to pass any bill that might bolster Democrats’ electoral prospects in November. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 As its relationship with China has turned more adversarial, the United States has worked to bolster defensive partnerships with allies in the Asia-Pacific like Australian and Japan. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Russia’s slow grind forward comes as European nations move to bolster support for Ukraine and strengthen their own protections against potential Russian aggression. Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Alexis Grossman’s tearful testimony was presented to bolster the defense argument that Erickson — not Rebecca Grossman — was the first to strike the boys on the night of Sept. 29, 2020. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bolster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bolster was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bolster

Cite this Entry

“Bolster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolster. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bolster

1 of 2 noun
bol·​ster ˈbōl-stər How to pronounce bolster (audio)
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 How to pronounce bolster (audio)
: to support with or as if with a bolster
also : reinforce
came with me to bolster my spirits
bolsterer noun

Legal Definition

bolster

transitive verb
bol·​ster
ˈbōl-stər
: to use evidence usually improperly to give weight to (evidence already introduced)

More from Merriam-Webster on bolster

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