pebble

[peb-uhl]

noun

1. a small, rounded stone, especially one worn smooth by the action of water.

2. Also called pebble leather. leather that has been given a granulated surface.

3. any granulated or crinkled surface, especially of a textile.

4. a transparent colorless rock crystal used for the lenses of eyeglasses.

5. a lens made from this crystal.

verb (used with object)

pebbled, pebbling 

1. to prepare (leather) so as to have a granulated surface.

2. to pelt with or as with pebbles.

pebble

/ ˈpɛbəl /

noun

1. 1. a small smooth rounded stone, esp one worn by the action of water

   2. geology a rock fragment, often rounded, with a diameter of 4–64 mm and thus smaller than a cobble but larger than a granule

2. 1. a transparent colourless variety of rock crystal, used for making certain lenses

   2. such a lens

3. informal,  (modifier) (of a lens or of spectacles) thick, with a high degree of magnification or distortion

4. 1. a grainy irregular surface, esp on leather

   2. leather having such a surface

5. informal,  a troublesome or obstinate person or animal

verb

1. to pave, cover, or pelt with pebbles

2. to impart a grainy surface to (leather)

pebble

1. A rock fragment larger than a granule and smaller than a cobble. Pebbles have a diameter between 4 and 64 mm (0.16 and 2.56 inches) and are often rounded.

Other Word Forms

• unpebbled adjective
• pebbly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pebble¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pibbil, puble, pobble; compare Old English pæbbel (in placenames), papel-, popel- (in compounds); phonological relations unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of pebble¹

Old English papolstān, from papol- (perhaps of imitative origin) + stān stone

Idioms and Phrases

see not the only fish in the sea (pebble on the beach).

Example Sentences

A Neanderthal man is believed to have dipped his finger in red pigment to paint a nose on a pebble around 43,000 years ago.

Read more on BBC

Inside, you’ll find an elevated lineup: rich, gluten-free brownies; perfectly chewy, salted chocolate chip cookies; next-level fruity pebble treats; and playful weed leaf–shaped sugar cookies that manage to be both charming and indulgent.

Read more on Salon

“You’re seeing a glowing tunnel of hot air that might be 10 miles in diameter produced by this very tiny little pebble that’s passing through the atmosphere and burns up,” Krupp said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Their unique front-yard landscape features deck and pebble walkways linking deep raised beds made from stacked bits of broken concrete where they grow vegetables, cutting flowers and fruits.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I played in the parks, which were often hard red clay with loose pebbles and stones, with two square goalposts fashioned out of wood and string.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• earth 
• gravel 
• lava 
• metal 
• rubble 
• slab