bolson: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical (geology, geography); Contextual (political journalism when referring to a specific person).
Quick answer
What does “bolson” mean?
A desert basin or flat valley surrounded by mountains, often with internal drainage and no outlet to the sea.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A desert basin or flat valley surrounded by mountains, often with internal drainage and no outlet to the sea.
In political contexts (specifically referencing Jair Bolsonaro), the surname Bolson is sometimes used as a metonym for the former Brazilian president, his administration, or his political ideology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term for both. The political connotation is tied to international, not national, politics.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialized texts or specific political reporting.
Grammar
How to Use “bolson” in a Sentence
The [adjective] bolson...The [place name] bolson...Supporters of Bolson...The policies of Bolson...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bolson” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Bolson-era policies were controversial.
- A Bolson-supporting region.
American English
- Bolson-aligned lawmakers
- A Bolson-style rhetoric.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in physical geography, geology, and earth sciences. Also in political science papers discussing Brazil.
Everyday
Almost never used unless discussing specific South American geography or Brazilian politics.
Technical
Standard term in geomorphology for a specific landform type.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bolson”
- Misspelling as 'bolsan' or 'bolsen'.
- Using lowercase for the surname.
- Assuming it's a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, specialized term used mainly in physical geography and, more recently, in political contexts referring to Jair Bolsonaro.
In British English, it's /ˈbɒls(ə)n/ ('BOL-suhn'). In American English, it's /ˈboʊlsən/ ('BOHL-suhn').
A bolson is a specific type of basin—an arid or semi-arid, flat-floored desert basin that is surrounded by mountains and has internal drainage (no outlet to the sea). All bolsons are basins, but not all basins are bolsons.
When referring to the geographical feature, it is typically lowercase. When referring to the surname of the former Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, or used as a metonym for him/his politics, it is capitalized (e.g., 'Bolson supporters').
A desert basin or flat valley surrounded by mountains, often with internal drainage and no outlet to the sea.
Bolson is usually technical (geology, geography); contextual (political journalism when referring to a specific person). in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BOWL placed in the SUN in a desert—a 'bowl-sun' is a dry, enclosed basin.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANDSCAPE AS A CONTAINER (the bolson contains sediments, water). POLITICAL FIGURE AS A SYMBOL (Bolson represents a specific ideology).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'bolson' primarily used as a technical term?