pebble

1 of 2

noun

peb·​ble ˈpe-bəl 

1

: a small usually rounded stone especially when worn by the action of water

2

: transparent and colorless quartz : rock crystal

3

: an irregular, crinkled, or grainy surface

pebbly

ˈpe-b(ə-)lē 

adjective

pebble

2 of 2

verb

pebbled; pebbling ˈpe-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to pelt with pebbles

2

: to pave or cover with pebbles or something resembling pebbles

3

: to grain (a material, such as leather) so as to produce a rough and irregularly indented surface

Examples of pebble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mud, pebbles, and any kind of debris fall into the container as the footwear dries, allowing cleaning to be a one-step process of emptying the container periodically. —Lauren Carpenter, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

To boost humidity indoors, place the plants on a tray of wet pebbles to raise the humidity around them. —Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025

Verb

Structured and sleek, the bag boasts pebbled Italian leather and shiny gold touches, as well as an adjustable belt strap, snap-closure interior slip pocket, and the most spacious storage capacity on our list. —Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Alongside all that functionality, this handbag packs in plenty of style too, with its supple pebbled leather, gold-tone hardware, and metal feet that hold it upright even when not in use. —Miles Walls, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pobble, from Old English papolstān, from papol- (of unknown origin) + stān stone

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pebble

• jebel
• nebel
• rebel
• treble
• jezebel

Kids Definition

pebble

1 of 2 noun

peb·​ble ˈpeb-əl 

1

: a small rounded stone

2

: an uneven, wrinkled, or grainy surface

pebblelike

-əl-ˌ(l)īk

adjective

pebbly

-(ə-)lē 

adjective

pebble

2 of 2 verb

pebbled; pebbling ˈpeb-(ə-)liŋ 

: to produce an uneven, wrinkled, or grainy surface on