Boulder

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbəʊl.dÉ™(ɹ)/
• US IPA: /ˈboÊŠldəɹ/
• Rhymes: -əʊldÉ™(r)
• Homophones: bolder

Alternative forms

• bowlder, bulder dated

Origin

From Middle English bulder, possibly from Swedish bullersten ("noisy stone"), or possibly from Dutch bolder

Full definition of boulder

Noun

1. A large mass of stone detached from the surrounding land.
2. (geology) A particle greater than 256 mm in diameter, following the Wentworth scale

Derived terms

• bouldering

Verb

1. To engage in bouldering
• 2005, November 18, The ties that bind ..., ... and prevent falls have become family unifier in rock climbing, He bouldered a route in the same area with ease. Mitchell, 11, was hanging with the older kids in an area where bouldering nearly upside down seemed to be....
• 2006, July 18, Tony Durrant, The steep learning curve, As the week unfolded, we were taught about the equipment we needed, how to tie a rope and what to wear. We learnt to balance on our feet rather than cling on with our arms and to trust our rock shoes, the moulded rubber slippers that can grip the smoothest of surfaces. We abseiled, bouldered and belayed.
• 2007, February 15, Homes blend eco-friendliness, unique design, Built around a massive egg-shaped granite boulder, the home of Darrow and ... “ There's even old climbing hardware in it because people bouldered on it for years.

Anagrams

• doubler