Meaning & Definition of word "Boulder"

noun:

• 1. A large rock, typically one that has been rounded by erosion.
  • Example: The hikers paused to rest beside a massive boulder in the canyon.
• 2. A rock that is too large to be moved by hand.
  • Example: The boulder blocking the path made it impossible for the cars to pass through.
• 3. A large stone that has become detached from a cliff or mountain.
  • Example: After the landslide, several boulders were scattered across the road.
• 4. In climbing, a boulder refers to a large rock that can be climbed without the use of ropes.
  • Example: He spent the afternoon bouldering at the local climbing gym.
• 5. In a geological context, a boulder is any rock that has a dimension greater than 256 mm (10 inches).
  • Example: Geologists classify the boulders found in the riverbed as glacial deposits.