English Dictionary

Definition of “bolster”

Browse the English dictionary (A-Z)

bolster (ˈbəʊlstəPronunciation for bolster) 

Definitions

verb (tr)

  1. (often foll by up) to support or reinforce; strengthen  ⇒ to bolster morale 
  2. to prop up with a pillow or cushion
  3. to add padding to  ⇒ to bolster a dress 

noun

  1. a long narrow pillow or cushion
  2. any pad or padded support
  3. architecture a short horizontal length of timber fixed to the top of a post to increase the bearing area and reduce the span of the supported beam
  4. a cold chisel having a broad blade splayed towards the cutting edge, used for cutting stone slabs, etc

Alternative Forms

ˈbolsterer noun ˈbolstering noun adjective

Word Origin

Old English bolster ; related to Old Norse bolstr , Old High German bolstar , Dutch bulster

Usage examples

  • There was no guarantee that there would be new wild birds to bolster the gene pool.
    Tony Juniper, SPIX'S MACAW: The Race to Save the World's Rarest Bird (2002)
  • A therapeutic vaccine aims to bolster the immune response of a person already infected with a disease, to reduce or stop progression.
    New Scientist (2004)
  • A woman pastor talks about her ongoing battle with cancer and how it has helped bolster her faith.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • It seems there may have to be an emergency rights issue by Invensys to bolster finances with the dividend now in danger.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Johnson sent him on a scouting trip to Europe to bolster his reputation.
    Susie Gilbert and Jay Shir, A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since 1945 (2003)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'B'

Related Terms

0 results

Browse nearby words

Browse dictionary