bolster

noun bol·ster \ ˈbōl-stər \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of bolster

1 : a long pillow or cushion

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

See bolster defined for English-language learners

See bolster defined for kids

Recent Examples of bolster from the Web

Those front seats are standard on the Regal GS, and come with heating/ventilation/massage features and powered side bolsters and thigh support.

— brian wong, USA TODAY, "Review: Buick Regal GS isn't as princely as it could be," 2 Mar. 2018
As economist Dani Rodrik points out, the media’s trade-war freak-outs bolster Trump’s image as a tough operator on trade, even though nothing substantive is happening.

— david dayen, The New Republic, "Trump’s Theater of Trade," 27 Mar. 2018
But the seats’ inflatable side bolsters, individually adjustable thigh supports, massage modes, and very warm heating elements put both front-seat occupants in the lap of luxury—literally.

— drew dorian, Car and Driver, "2018 Lincoln Continental," 1 Feb. 2018
The seat holds you firmly in place, with good side bolsters and plenty of adjustability from the standard 8-way power seats.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "Like a hot hatch on steroids: The Porsche Macan GTS reviewed," 6 Mar. 2018
The Luxury seat package, $3,000, adds heated, ventilated and massaging front seats with power thigh extenders and adjustable side bolsters.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD: North American SUV of the Year," 23 Feb. 2018
While leather seating surfaces are standard on the SL, the tester had a unique $250 option: brown leather surfaces that were smooth, perforated and quilted and featured black bands along the edges of the seat backs and bolsters.

— al haas, Philly.com, "2018 Nissan Rogue offers comfort and utility but not performance," 2 Feb. 2018
Both eight-way power front Sport seats had manual thigh extensions, and the driver’s seat had power lumbar and side bolsters.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Infiniti tweaks the Q50 sedan for 2018 with revised exterior, interior features | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 20 Jan. 2018
At Love Yoga’s studios in the Venice and Echo Park neighborhoods of Los Angeles, students recline on padded bolsters and blankets for one hour of breathing exercises and guided rest, which studies show can help quell anxiety and insomnia.

— michaela bechler, Vogue, "5 New Restorative Workouts to Have on Your Radar in 2018," 14 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bolster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bolster

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

bolster

verb

Definition of bolster

bolstered; bolstering play \-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

play \-stər-ər\ noun

See bolster defined for English-language learners

Examples of bolster in a Sentence

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 of bolster from the Web

The defense hoped Jackson’s testimony would bolster Cosby’s efforts to show Constand fabricated the allegations against him to extort a big civil settlement.

— michael r. sisak, BostonGlobe.com, "Cosby accuser discussed framing a celebrity, witness says," 19 Apr. 2018
The group provided a private forum for educators to plot strategy, bolster resistance and plan demonstrations.

— melissa daniels, azcentral, "How social media helped teachers organize in Arizona, across nation," 19 Apr. 2018
But investors look to the future, and the growth of cord cutting has bolstered Netflix while hurting Disney’s cable channels like ESPN.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Netflix Close to Catching Up With Disney In Stock Market Value After Banner First Quarter," 17 Apr. 2018
Many Democrats, meanwhile, are hopeful that new revelations will further bolster a case for the president's impeachment.

— john wagner, chicagotribune.com, "GOP campaign seeks to brand ex-FBI director Comey a liar as he touts book critical of Trump," 12 Apr. 2018
Some investors believed the comments bolstered the case for the central bank to raise rates at a faster pace.

— ira iosebashvili, WSJ, "Dollar Rises on Optimism in Fed Meeting Minutes," 12 Apr. 2018
Though supporters of the pipeline said that the project would bolster job development in the United States, opponents worried that a spill would threaten groundwater and agricultural land.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Keystone Pipeline Leak Was Twice as Big as Previously Thought," 10 Apr. 2018
From March: Kentucky Senate won't include opioid tax in its budget, citing 'legal problems' Collins said his agency will bolster research to prevent addiction through better pain management.

— laura ungar, The Courier-Journal, "Opioid addiction prevention and treatment research federal funding to nearly double," 4 Apr. 2018
Brewer also said the long-term solution to Gary's financial problems entail attracting more businesses to locate in the city and to increase Gary's population – both of which would bolster the local tax base.

— gregory tejeda, Post-Tribune, "Council debates short-term loans in Gary," 4 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of bolster

see ¹bolster

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1508

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

bolster Synonyms

BOLSTER Defined for English Language Learners

bolster

noun

Definition of bolster for English Language Learners

: a long bag of cloth completely filled with soft material : a long pillow or cushion

bolster

verb

Definition of bolster for English Language Learners

: to make (something) stronger or better : to give support to (something)

BOLSTER Defined for Kids

bolster

noun bol·ster \ ˈbōl-stər \

Definition of bolster for Students

: a long pillow or cushion sometimes used to support bed pillows

bolster

verb

Definition of bolster for Students

bolstered; bolstering

: to support with or as if with a bolster

We tried to bolster their courage.

Law Dictionary

bolster

transitive verb bol·ster \ ˈbōl-stər \

legal Definition of bolster

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

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bolster

Definition of bolster

Recent Examples of bolster from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bolster

bolster

Definition of bolster

bolsterer

Examples of bolster in a Sentence

Recent Examples of bolster from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bolster

bolster Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

BOLSTER Defined for English Language Learners

bolster

Definition of bolster for English Language Learners

bolster

Definition of bolster for English Language Learners

BOLSTER Defined for Kids

bolster

Definition of bolster for Students

bolster

Definition of bolster for Students

Law Dictionary

bolster

legal Definition of bolster

Learn More about bolster

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