bolster

American  

[bohl-ster] / ˈboʊl stər /

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 British  

/ 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

Related Words

See cushion.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of bolster

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

Example Sentences

Officials gave few details about the next steps, with observers pressing both sides to follow through to bolster efforts for peace.

From Barron's

Israeli founders have built cybersecurity companies such as Checkpoint and Wiz, which Google recently acquired for $32 billion, which helps bolster Israel’s international reputation as a cyber power.

From The Wall Street Journal

That number almost certainly includes conscripts the military has begun forcibly recruiting to bolster its ranks.

From Barron's

Prices for both precious metals closed at new records, bolstered by rising U.S.-Venezuela tensions, which also lifted oil futures for a fourth straight session.

From The Wall Street Journal

The analysis found the party needed to do more to reach nonwhite and working-class voters, strengthen its messaging on key issues, bolster data and digital efforts, and recruit “more candidates who come from minority communities.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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