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bola

American  
[boh-luh] / ˈboʊ lə /

noun

bolas plural
  1. Also a weapon consisting of two or more heavy balls secured to the ends of one or more strong cords, hurled by the Indians and gauchos of southern South America to entangle the legs of cattle and other animals.

  2. bolo tie.


bola British  
/ ˈbəʊlə, ˈbəʊləs /

noun

  1. a missile used by gauchos and Indians of South America, consisting of two or more heavy balls on a cord. It is hurled at a running quarry, such as an ox or rhea, so as to entangle its legs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of bola

1835–45; < Spanish: ball < Old Provençal < Latin bulla bubble, knob; see boil 1

Vocabulary lists containing bola

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

President Bola Tinubu said he was "shocked" by the general's death and described it as a reminder of the threat posed by armed criminal groups.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the operation also killed several al-Mainuki lieutenants.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has met Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Downing Street, as the two countries agreed a record-breaking steel deal.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu talked of how his country is "challenged by terrorism" as he met Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday as part of his state visit to the UK.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

They shall establish Nomentum and Gabii and Fidena city, they the Collatine hill-fortress, Pometii and the Fort of Inuus, Bola and Cora: these shall be names that are now nameless lands.

From The Aeneid of Virgil by Virgil

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