bollard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, technical, professional
Quick answer
What does “bollard” mean?
A sturdy, short, vertical post, typically made of metal or concrete, used to control or direct road traffic, prevent vehicle access to a pedestrian area, or moor a ship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sturdy, short, vertical post, typically made of metal or concrete, used to control or direct road traffic, prevent vehicle access to a pedestrian area, or moor a ship.
Can refer to any similar upright structure used for security, guidance, or mooring. In maritime contexts, specifically a post on a quay or ship for securing ropes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and term are identical. More frequent in UK English due to extensive pedestrianisation of city centres and historical maritime usage.
Connotations
Neutral/functional in both. In UK, strongly associated with urban planning and traffic management.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English in everyday contexts (e.g., news about traffic calming).
Grammar
How to Use “bollard” in a Sentence
[The council] installed [steel bollards] [along the kerb].[The ship] was moored [to the bollard].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bollard” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The area will be bollarded off during the festival.
American English
- The contractor recommended bollarding the perimeter for safety.
adjective
British English
- The bollard system needs an annual inspection.
American English
- We offer various bollard light fixtures.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of urban development, construction, or security contracting.
Academic
Used in urban planning, civil engineering, transportation studies, and maritime history texts.
Everyday
Common when discussing road safety, parking restrictions, or pedestrian areas in towns.
Technical
Precise term in civil engineering (traffic calming design), maritime operations, and security architecture.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bollard”
- Spelling: 'bollard' not 'bollar' or 'ballard'.
- Pronunciation: The 'o' is short in UK English (/ɒ/), not /əʊ/.
- Using for a tall, thin pole (e.g., a lamp post) – bollards are short and stout.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A traffic cone is lightweight, portable, and temporary. A bollard is a permanent, fixed, and sturdy structure meant as a more substantial barrier.
Some are permanent fixtures. Others are 'removable' or 'retractable', meaning they can be lowered into the ground or unlocked and taken away to allow occasional vehicle access.
It likely derives from the word 'bole' (the trunk of a tree) + the suffix '-ard'. Early bollards were often simply tree trunks or wooden posts.
Yes. Bollards are common in security to protect buildings from vehicle ramming, in warehouses to guard machinery, and in car parks to protect walls and utilities.
A sturdy, short, vertical post, typically made of metal or concrete, used to control or direct road traffic, prevent vehicle access to a pedestrian area, or moor a ship.
Bollard is usually formal, technical, professional in register.
Bollard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒl.ɑːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑː.lɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bollard to bollard (nautical, measuring mooring line scope)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOLlard as being BOLted to the ground, or a BOLD GUARD standing firm against traffic.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BOLLARD IS A SENTINEL / GUARD (it protects a space by standing firm and blocking entry).
Practice
Quiz
What is the PRIMARY function of a traffic bollard?