bollard

noun

1. A strong vertical post of timber or iron, fixed to a wharf, dock, or the deck of a ship, to which the ship's mooring lines or towlines are secured.

   “Near-synonym: towing bitt (often coinstantial)”

   “Today he had for bollard the unfinished monument half-erected to some all but forgotten anarchist.”

   “He sat on a bollard, looking out across the water, a man more small and shabby than expected.”

2. A similar post preventing vehicle access to a pedestrian area, to delineate traffic lanes, or used for security purposes.