# pebble

/ˈpɛbəɫ/ (US) · /pˈɛbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pebble
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a small, smooth stone that has been shaped by water or wind. You often find them on beaches or at the bottom of rivers.

For teachers: a small, smooth, rounded stone, typically between 4 and 64 millimetres in diameter. Often shaped by the abrasive action of water in fluvial or coastal environments.

## Examples

- The child threw a small pebble into the lake.
- The beach was covered in smooth grey pebbles that rattled every time a wave pulled back into the sea.
- Geologists can determine the history of a riverbed by examining the composition and roundness of the pebbles found within the sediment layers.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural when describing terrain or surfaces.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.