plural bolos
: a long heavy single-edged knife of Philippine origin used to cut vegetation and as a weapon

Word History

Etymology

Philippine Spanish

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bolo was in 1870

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bolo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bolo. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

plural bolos
: a long heavy single-edged knife used in the Philippines

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