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

Meanwhile, visitors leave pebbles and coins at the marker for Wild West legend Wyatt Earp, who died in 1929, in a nod to the Jewish tradition of marking a visit to a grave at the Hills of Eternity Memorial Park. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025

Yet if the Dodgers are to be cast as villains from the Book of Samuel, Toronto brought to the fight far more than pebbles. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Verb

An array of 14 library accessories made from premium materials like walnut wood, pebbled leather and brass, they were designed in collaboration with French designer Pierre Favresse, and influenced by the Assouline family’s most cherished items and cultural roots. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025

The beach itself is pebbled, classic Sicily, with crystalline water. —Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 8 Sep. 2025

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