boulder

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

bowlder

2 of 2

noun (2)

bowl·​der

less common spelling of boulder

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

Examples of boulder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Moving boulders like sand In 1976, people in the canyon who survived the flood described hearing what sounded like a train coming at them. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 2026

Deeper in are the Kjerag cliffs and a boulder, lodged between two cliffs—one of Norway’s most photographed spots. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

With the pole still lodged in his body, Cifaldi and his friends began the more than 10-mile trek back down the mountain, navigating rugged terrain including snowfields and boulder fields. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Searchers have used heavy machinery and drones, and teams have blasted some of the boulders into small pieces as part of the rescue work, according to the county government. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (1)

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