How to pronounce bollard
Say it like BAH-lerd. Bollard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bollard. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAH
- lerd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bollard pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- lerdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bollard
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BOL-ud.
What does bollard mean?
- A strong vertical post of timber or iron, fixed to a wharf, dock, or the deck of a ship, to which the ship's mooring lines or towlines are secured.
- A similar post preventing vehicle access to a pedestrian area, to delineate traffic lanes, or used for security purposes.
Where does bollard come from?
From Middle English bollard, probably from Middle English bole (“tree trunk”), from Old Norse bolr (“stump, trunk”), equivalent to bole + -ard (pejorative or diminutive suffix).
Questions about saying bollard
How do you pronounce bollard?
Say BAH-lerd. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑlərd/. In British English it is /ˈbɒləd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bollard?
Bollard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAH). Broken into parts: BAH · lerd.
Is bollard pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbɒləd/ (BOL-ud).