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 of bolster

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

The frame has a straight silhouette that cradles supportive bolsters and back cushions that practically beg for a Netflix marathon. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026

When the worker climbed off the bolster to find the pin, the die caught another, according to MIOSHA, and began swinging, pinning the victim between two dies. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 19 May 2026

Verb

Jerry May, president of the San Jose firefighters’ union, said that to reduce overtime spending, the city must bolster its recruitment and retention efforts to keep pace with rising service needs. —Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

Joe Coffey was one of the pro wrestling stars who joined Major League Wrestling (MLW) over the last year to bolster its star-laden roster. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

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)