pebble

[ peb-uhl ]

noun

1. a small, rounded stone, especially one worn smooth by the action of water.
2. Also called pebble leather. leather that has been given a granulated surface.
3. any granulated or crinkled surface, especially of a textile.
4. a transparent colorless rock crystal used for the lenses of eyeglasses.
5. a lens made from this crystal.

verb (used with object)

, peb·bled, peb·bling.

1. to prepare (leather) so as to have a granulated surface.
2. to pelt with or as with pebbles.

pebble

/ ˈpɛbəl /

noun

1. 1. a small smooth rounded stone, esp one worn by the action of water
   2. geology a rock fragment, often rounded, with a diameter of 4–64 mm and thus smaller than a cobble but larger than a granule
2. 1. a transparent colourless variety of rock crystal, used for making certain lenses
   2. such a lens
3. informal.
   modifier (of a lens or of spectacles) thick, with a high degree of magnification or distortion
4. 1. a grainy irregular surface, esp on leather
   2. leather having such a surface
5. informal.
   a troublesome or obstinate person or animal

verb

1. to pave, cover, or pelt with pebbles
2. to impart a grainy surface to (leather)

pebble

/ pĕb′əl /

1. A rock fragment larger than a granule and smaller than a cobble. Pebbles have a diameter between 4 and 64 mm (0.16 and 2.56 inches) and are often rounded.

Derived Forms

• ˈpebbly, adjective

Other Words From

• un·pebbled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pebble¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pibbil, puble, pobble; compare Old English pæbbel (in placenames), papel-, popel- (in compounds); phonological relations unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of pebble¹

Old English papolstān, from papol- (perhaps of imitative origin) + stān stone

Idioms and Phrases

see not the only fish in the sea (pebble on the beach) .

Example Sentences

With coastal erosion and the warming climate, he said the beach and nearby properties were at risk without the protective pebbles in place.

From BBC

He said he had many moments over a two-week excavation where he thought he had discovered something, only for experts to tell him he had a knack for finding "shiny pebbles".

From BBC

The post added: "The shell had been dug out of the pebbles by someone apparently, before someone else called 999 as they realised what it was."

From BBC

The dramatic scene in which Mariko attempts to leave Osaka Castle with a group of advisors being held hostage inside sees her inching forward on the pebble road beneath her feet.

From Los Angeles Times

“And from there ... it’s like pebbles down a mountain.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• earth
• gravel
• lava
• metal
• rubble
• slab