<p><strong>noun</strong></p><ul><li>a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc.</li><li>anything resembling this in form or in use as a support.</li><li>any pillow, cushion, or pad.</li><li>Nautical: a circular casting on the side of a vessel, through which an anchor chain passes.</li><li>Nautical: a timber used as a temporary support.</li><li>Nautical: a beam for holding lines or rigging without chafing.</li><li>Nautical: a bag filled with buoyant material, fitted into a small boat.</li><li>Metalworking: an anvil-like support for the lower die of a drop forge.</li><li>Masonry: a timber or the like connecting two ribs of a centering.</li><li>Carpentry: a horizontal timber on a post for lessening the free span of a beam.</li><li>a structural member on which one end of a bridge truss rests.</li></ul><p><strong>verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li><p>to support with or as with a pillow or cushion.</p></li><li><p>to add to, support, strengthen, or uphold (sometimes followed by <em>up</em>):</p><ul><li>Example: They bolstered their morale by singing.</li><li>Example: He bolstered up his claim with new evidence.</li></ul><p><em>Synonyms</em>: fortify, reinforce, aid, sustain, strengthen.</p></li></ul>