bollard

/ˈbɑlərd/

Other forms: bollards

A bollard is a short post, especially one used for mooring a boat. If you visit a working harbor, you'll see many bollards.

Bollards are known for being especially sturdy, strong enough that a boat securely moored there can't be blown or tossed around. Some ships also have bollards on board, for wrapping and storing unused rope. Posts used to control automobile traffic are sometimes also called bollards. The root is thought to be the Old Norse bolr, "tree trunk."

Definitions of bollard

1. noun

   a strong post (as on a wharf or quay or ship for attaching mooring lines)
   “the road was closed to vehicular traffic with bollards”

   synonyms: bitt

   types:

   riding bitt

   one of the large bitts used to secure the cable of a dropped anchor

   type of:

   post

   an upright consisting of a piece of timber or metal fixed firmly in an upright position