cobblestone
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cobblestone
First recorded in 1400–50, cobblestone is from the late Middle English word cobylstone. See cobble 1, stone
Explanation
Cobblestones are rounded rocks that were commonly used to pave streets starting in the 15th century. In some very old cities, you can still walk and drive over cobblestones. Cobblestone is often used to describe a square granite paver known as a sett or a Belgian block. Authentic cobblestones, which are round and slightly irregular in size, were used as they were found in nature rather than being carved into shape the way setts are. The word comes from cob, or "lump." Strolling down a cobblestone street can feel a little precarious, especially if you're wearing high-heeled shoes!
Vocabulary lists containing cobblestone
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.
The shop is in Paved Court, a narrow, cobblestone pedestrian street lined with boutique shops, cafes and restaurants.
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026
Clad in a blue blazer, black sweater and neck tie, Sarkozy walked down a cobblestone pathway where he was greeted by his children and a crowd of applauding supporters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025
He longs for its cobblestone streets, the town’s red brick buildings and its surrounding pockets of nature.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2025
Early the next morning, I rented an e-scooter and rattled through cobblestone streets to a market.
From Salon • Mar. 6, 2025
A circle wall of cobblestone sits like a medieval centerpiece.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
