HOW TO PRONOUNCE
bolster
/ˈboʊlstɚ/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does bolster mean?
noun
- A large cushion or pillow, usually cylindrical in shape.
- A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress.
- A small spacer located on top of the axle of horse-drawn wagons that gives the front wheels enough clearance to turn.
More meanings (12)
noun
- A short, horizontal structural timber between a post and a beam for enlarging the bearing area of the post and/or reducing the span of the beam.
- A beam in the middle of a railway truck, supporting the body of the car.
- The perforated plate in a punching machine on which anything rests when being punched.
- The part of a knife blade that abuts upon the end of the handle.
- The metallic end of a pocketknife handle.
- The rolls forming the ends or sides of the Ionic capital.
- (figuratively) That which supports or promotes; a catalyst.
- A wide-bladed cold chisel designed to split and shape bricks.
- (historical) A block of wood on the carriage of a siege gun, upon which the breech of the gun rests when arranged for transportation.
verb
- (figuratively) To brace, reinforce, secure, or support.
proper noun
- A surname from German.
- A ghost town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈboʊlstɚ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Put your ear to one end of a soft bolster, and let some one hit the other end.
When I was sleeping five in a bed with my brothers, there was one long bolster for five hot little faces.
More book examples (3)
“Well, now, the under sheet you must bring over the bolster,—so—and tuck it clear down under the mattress nice and smooth,—so,—do you see?”
To curb the budget deficit and bolster confidence in the economy, BILDT continues to propose cuts in welfare benefits, subsidies, defense, and foreign aid.
She took him to a room above-stairs, and introduced him to a bed on which a magnified bolster, in yellow calico, figured as a counterpane.