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

Scattered over the top were generous pebbles of queso panela, mild, milky and squeaky like halloumi. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Plastic tiles, bright surfaces, and colorful pebbles are just a few that experts advise against. — Natasha Bazika, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026

Verb

The ideal curling surface involves an ice sheet that is pebbled, or treated with drops of water, which helps to decrease the friction the stone faces against the surface area of the ice. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026

The Black colorway has pebbled black leather and black denim panels. — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026

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
• ndebele
• 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