pebble

1 of 2

noun

peb·​ble ˈpe-bəl 

1

: a small usually rounded stone especially when worn by the action of water

2

: transparent and colorless quartz : rock crystal

3

: an irregular, crinkled, or grainy surface

pebbly

ˈpe-b(ə-)lē 

adjective

pebble

2 of 2

verb

pebbled; pebbling ˈpe-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to pelt with pebbles

2

: to pave or cover with pebbles or something resembling pebbles

3

: to grain (a material, such as leather) so as to produce a rough and irregularly indented surface

Examples of pebble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Top the potting soil with small pebbles for a finished look and to keep away fungus gnats. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2024

The pebbles must be just right, not too big or small. —Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2024

Verb

The brand’s signature pebbled Flou Bubble Jacquard is here in a number of beautiful dresses, in a palette of navy, black, burgundy, ivory and lilac, along with gorgeous trouser suits in black or white. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

The oblong bars, coated in dark or milk chocolate and pebbled with almonds, have centers of ganachelike filling riddled with pieces of buttery toffee. —Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pobble, from Old English papolstān, from papol- (of unknown origin) + stān stone

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pebble

1 of 2 noun

peb·​ble ˈpeb-əl 

1

: a small rounded stone

2

: an uneven, wrinkled, or grainy surface

pebblelike

-əl-ˌ(l)īk

adjective

pebbly

-(ə-)lē 

adjective

pebble

2 of 2 verb

pebbled; pebbling ˈpeb-(ə-)liŋ 

: to produce an uneven, wrinkled, or grainy surface on