Boulders: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe very large rocks, often found in mountainous areas or used in landscaping.

• The hiking trail was blocked by massive boulders
• They used boulders to create a natural barrier in their garden

General term for pieces of the Earth’s crust of any size. Used in many contexts including geology, everyday speech, or to describe music.

• Geologists studied the different types of rocks at the site
• He collected interesting rocks during his trip

General term for small to medium-sized pieces of rock. Commonly used for building materials or in everyday language.

• The path was paved with smooth, round stones
• Children often skip stones across the lake

Refers to very small, smooth stones, usually found on beaches or riverbanks.

• The shore was lined with colorful pebbles
• She filled the vase with pebbles to hold the flowers in place