boules

UK: /ˈbuːl/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

boules / bul/ noun:plural

1. (functioning as singular) a game, popular in France, in which metal bowls are thrown to land as near as possible to a target ball. It is played on rough surfaces

Etymology: plural of boule ball¹; see bowl²

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

boule¹  (bo̅o̅l), n. 

1. Jewelry Also called birne. a cylindrical lump of material for synthetic gems, made by the Verneuil process.
2. Games a metal ball, usually made out of steel, used in pétanque.
3. Games Sometimes, boules. pétanque.

• French: literally, a ball; see bowl²
• 1915–20

boule²  (bo̅o̅l), n. (often cap.) [Furniture.]

1. Furniture buhl.

Also called boule•work  (bo̅o̅l′wûrk′). 
Bou•le  (bo̅o̅′lē, bo̅o̅ lā′), n. 

1. Government the legislative assembly of modern Greece.
2. Ancient History, Antiquity (sometimes l.c.) a state legislative, advisory, or administrative council in ancient Greece.

• Greek: a council, body of chosen ones
• 1840–50