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  • boll
    boll
    noun
    a rounded seed vessel or pod of a plant, as of flax or cotton.
  • Böll
    Böll
    noun
    Heinrich (Theodor) 1917–85, German novelist and short-story writer: Nobel Prize 1972.

boll

1 American  
[bohl] / boʊl /

noun

Botany.
bolls plural
  1. a rounded seed vessel or pod of a plant, as of flax or cotton.


Böll 2 American  
[bœl] / bœl /

noun

  1. Heinrich (Theodor) 1917–85, German novelist and short-story writer: Nobel Prize 1972.


boll 1 British  
/ bəʊl /

noun

  1. the fruit of such plants as flax and cotton, consisting of a rounded capsule containing the seeds

"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

Böll 2 British  
/ bœl /

noun

  1. Heinrich (ˈhaɪnrɪç) ( Theodor ). 1917–85, German novelist and short-story writer; his novels include Group Portrait with Lady (1971): Nobel prize for literature 1972

"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

boll Scientific  
/ bōl /
  1. The seed-bearing capsule of certain plants, especially cotton and flax.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of boll

1400–50; late Middle English bolle, perhaps < Middle Dutch bolle ( Dutch bol ), though formally identical with bowl 1

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.

If either he or Boll hoped Musk’s endorsement would boost the film’s profile, they’ll be sorely mistaken: Bot armies don’t pay to rent movies.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2026

Troupe died Sunday morning of natural causes in his home in Beverly Hills, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2025

She died at her home in New York at age 87, her publicist Harlan Boll told the BBC.

From BBC • May 30, 2025

His spokesman, Harlan Boll, said the cause was a sepsis infection.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2023

Whereupon, Madame Boll gave herself airs, and coquettishly moved aside a leaf or two, and displayed a most perfect and symmetrical rose.

From The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 A Monthly Eclectic Magazine by Rameur, E.

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