bolster

[bohl-ster]

noun

1. a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc.

2. anything resembling this in form or in use as a support.

3. any pillow, cushion, or pad.

4. Nautical.

   1. Also called bolster plate. a circular casting on the side of a vessel, through which an anchor chain passes.

   2. a timber used as a temporary support.

   3. a beam for holding lines or rigging without chafing.

   4. a bag filled with buoyant material, fitted into a small boat.

5. Metalworking.,  an anvillike support for the lower die of a drop forge.

6. Masonry.

   1. a timber or the like connecting two ribs of a centering.

   2. a chisel with a blade splayed toward the edge, used for cutting bricks.

7. Carpentry.,  a horizontal timber on a post for lessening the free span of a beam.

8. a structural member on which one end of a bridge truss rests.

verb (used with object)

1. to support with or as with a pillow or cushion.

2. to add to, support, strengthen, or uphold (sometimes followed byup ).

   They bolstered their morale by singing.

   He bolstered up his claim with new evidence.

   Synonyms: fortify, reinforce, aid, sustain, strengthen

bolster

/ ˈbəʊlstə /

verb

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. architect 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

Other Word Forms

• bolstering noun
• bolsterer noun
• unbolster verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolster¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English bolstre (noun), Old English bolster; cognate with Old Norse bolstr, Dutch bolster, German Polster

Word History and Origins

Origin of bolster¹

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

Synonym Study

See cushion.

Example Sentences

The US military has moved to bolster its forces in the southern Caribbean, including through the deployment of additional naval vessels and thousands of marines and sailors to stem the flow of drugs.

From BBC

She and three colleagues from Scottish tech firm Skyscanner are studying at Glasgow University as part of a new project to bolster the dwindling ranks of computing teachers.

From BBC

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable," Xi had said in his speech in an effort to bolster pride in the nation.

From BBC

Surely it's time for their long wait for a first Lombardi Trophy to end, particularly with the 2024 league MVP on offence, and a defence bolstered by the draft and free agency.

From BBC

The US military has moved to bolster its forces in the southern Caribbean over the last two months, including through the deployment of additional naval vessels and thousands of US Marines and sailors.

From BBC

Related Words

• aid 
• boost 
• buoy 
• buttress 
• cushion 
• help 
• maintain 
• reinforce 
• shore up 
• strengthen 
• support 
• sustain