pebble

American  

[peb-uhl] / ˈpɛb əl /

noun

pebbles plural

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to pave, cover, or pelt with pebbles

2. to impart a grainy surface to (leather)

pebble Scientific  

/ pĕb′əl /

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.

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pebble Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pebbly
  adjective
• unpebbled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pebbles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pebble

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

Explanation

Pebbles are the small, round stones you might find on a beach. If you want a pet rock, a smooth pebble would be a good choice. A pebble beach might not be quite as soft underfoot as a sandy one, but pebbles tend to be smooth and rounded — unlike jagged-edged rocks. A beach covered with smooth pebbles is known as a "shingle beach." The origin of the word pebble is a mystery, although some suspect a connection to the Latin papula, "pustule, pimple, or swelling."

Example Sentences

And he built on that with a strong 2024 that included a win at Pebble Beach, where he set the single-round record with a 12-under par 60.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

Wie West retired three years ago after the Open at Pebble Beach, but came out of retirement to use her last year of exemption to play on this iconic course, celebrating its centennial.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Early last year, McIlroy came into the Masters scorching hot following wins at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"People always want to play iconic courses like Pebble Beach, but when you see them on the first hole for half an hour, you encourage them to play London Gardens," says Ingham.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Pebble, Sand, and Birch appear, and they tug, too.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

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