1
[Medieval Latin]
: the round usually lead seal attached to a papal bull
2
[New Latin, from Latin]
: a hollow thin-walled rounded bony prominence
3
: a large vesicle or blister
Examples of bulla in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2008, Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar revealed the discovery of a clay seal impression, or bulla, bearing the name Gedaliah, son of Pashhur.
—
Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
The bulla was found close to where, in 2005, a similar seal inscribed with the name Yehuchal had been discovered.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
For instance, the child was likely the one wearing the bronze bulla, as tradition dictated that boys wear such amulets for protection until adulthood.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
Over the centuries, the ash preserved the remains of the family, the wooden bed frame and other items, including a bronze amulet known as a bulla and a stash of amphorae filled with garum, a popular Roman fish sauce.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
The Fisherman’s Ring and a pendant called the bulla traditionally served as official seals for official letters and documents known as papal briefs.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
By convention, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, a senior cardinal appointed to oversee the transition, would destroy the ring and bulla in the presence of the College of Cardinals after announcing the pope’s passing.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo is also responsible for destroying the Fisherman's Ring and the lead bulla, which serve as seals for papal documents, according to Encyclopedia Brittanica.
—James Powel, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
So please, all the lefty-loosey and righty-tighty Venezuela zealots, spare us your bulla — and try using your noggins now.
—Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2024
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Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
The bulla was found close to where, in 2005, a similar seal inscribed with the name Yehuchal had been discovered.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025
For instance, the child was likely the one wearing the bronze bulla, as tradition dictated that boys wear such amulets for protection until adulthood.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
Over the centuries, the ash preserved the remains of the family, the wooden bed frame and other items, including a bronze amulet known as a bulla and a stash of amphorae filled with garum, a popular Roman fish sauce.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
The Fisherman’s Ring and a pendant called the bulla traditionally served as official seals for official letters and documents known as papal briefs.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
By convention, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, a senior cardinal appointed to oversee the transition, would destroy the ring and bulla in the presence of the College of Cardinals after announcing the pope’s passing.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
The camerlengo is also responsible for destroying the Fisherman's Ring and the lead bulla, which serve as seals for papal documents, according to Encyclopedia Brittanica.
—James Powel, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
So please, all the lefty-loosey and righty-tighty Venezuela zealots, spare us your bulla — and try using your noggins now.
—Tim Padgett, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bulla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulla. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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