boulder

noun

boul·​der ˈbōl-dər 

variants or less commonly bowlder

: a detached and rounded or much-worn mass of rock

bouldered

ˈbōl-dərd 

adjective

bouldery

ˈbōl-d(ə-)rē 

adjective

Examples of boulder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The site, called Hora 1, is underneath a natural boulder overhang large enough to shelter 30 people. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026

Just as this monster is about to take out the entire team on the Abyss, a giant boulder flies through the air and smacks him in the face. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026

During the stunt show, which takes place at Disney's Hollywood Studios, a worker stepped in front of a 400-lb prop boulder that came rolling toward the audience. —Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025

Another blogger, Blog Mickey, posted video today purportedly of the Indiana Jones attraction with the boulder stunt notably absent. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

short for boulder stone, from Middle English bulder ston, partial translation of a word of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect bullersten large stone in a stream, from buller noise + sten stone

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for boulder

• bolder
• bowlder
• colder
• folder
• golder
• holder
• molder
• moulder
• older
• polder
• shoulder
• beholder

Kids Definition

boulder

noun

boul·​der ˈbōl-dər 

: a large detached and rounded or worn mass of rock

Geographical Definition

Boulder

geographical name

Boul·​der ˈbōl-dər 

city northwest of Denver in north central Colorado population 97,385