bollard

noun

bol·​lard ˈbä-lərd How to pronounce bollard (audio)
British also ˈbä-ˌläd
1
: a post of metal or wood on a wharf around which to fasten mooring lines
2
: bitt sense 1
3
chiefly British : any of a series of short posts set at intervals to delimit an area (such as a traffic island) or to exclude vehicles

Examples of bollard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These portions of wall, made up of steel bollards up to 30 feet tall, are the first line of the barrier system that would be encountered by those travelling north from Mexico. — Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 Residents didn’t want the plastic white bollards Charlotte typically uses. — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 Construction crews have pre-positioned supplies — including the steel bollard wall panels — but no actual wall-building has started in the area. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 The new retractable bollards blocking East Exchange Avenue at the intersection with North Main Street were recently added to protect pedestrian traffic during the World Cup. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bollard

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from bole

First Known Use

circa 1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bollard was circa 1763

Rhymes for bollard

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Browse Nearby Words

Bollandist
bollard
bollard timber
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Cite this Entry

“Bollard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bollard. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bollard

noun
bol·​lard ˈbäl-ərd How to pronounce bollard (audio)
: a post of metal or wood on a wharf around which to fasten mooring lines

More from Merriam-Webster on bollard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bollard

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