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

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

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

Dobbins has bolstered a balanced Denver offence while the Broncos boast the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Surtain II, on the other side of the ball.

From BBC

EU leaders will be shown plans for a "road map" aimed at bolstering defences and developing Europe's defence industries by the end of the decade to produce state-of-the-art military equipment.

From BBC

Building a movement takes time and such demonstrations bolster solidarity and help create more resistance.

From Salon

JSerra, bolstered by a group of talented freshmen, have been surging and preparing for this showdown.

From Los Angeles Times

After the incursions, Nato launched a mission to bolster its eastern flank.

From BBC

Related Words

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