barrier

[ bar-ee-er ]

noun

1. anything built or serving to bar passage, as a railing, fence, or the like:

   People may pass through the barrier only when their train is announced.

   Synonyms: impediment, hindrance, obstruction, wall, palisade

2. any natural bar or obstacle:

   a mountain barrier.

   Synonyms: impediment, hindrance, obstruction

3. anything that restrains or obstructs progress, access, etc.:

   a trade barrier.

   Synonyms: impediment, hindrance, obstruction

4. a limit or boundary of any kind:

   the barriers of caste.

5. Physical Geography. an Antarctic ice shelf or ice front.
6. barrier beach.
7. barriers, History/Historical. the palisade or railing surrounding the ground where tourneys and jousts were carried on.
8. Archaic. a fortress or stockade.

barrier

/ ˈbærɪə /

noun

1. anything serving to obstruct passage or to maintain separation, such as a fence or gate
2. anything that prevents or obstructs passage, access, or progress

   a barrier of distrust

3. anything that separates or hinders union

   a language barrier

4. 1. an exposed offshore sand bar separated from the shore by a lagoon
   2. ( as modifier )

      a barrier beach

5. sometimes capital that part of the Antarctic icecap extending over the sea

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrier¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French barriere ( barre bar ¹ + -iere, from Latin -āria -ary ); replacing Middle English barrere, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin barrera

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrier¹

C14: from Old French barriere , from barre bar ¹

Synonym Study

See bar ¹.

Example Sentences

“Once this barrier is crossed, I think interest in the field will expand dramatically.”

From Science Magazine

“If we can get them away from the Capitol and to act normally, there’s a barrier that comes down that is hard to get in Sacramento.”

From Los Angeles Times

For Black professionals, who already navigate systemic barriers and entrenched inequities, this represents a direct assault on their workplace opportunities and dignity.

From Salon

She answered that Elon Musk’s sway with the president-elect was a troubling breakdown of barriers between the government and private businesses.

From Salon

In a 16-page report documenting conditions in the East Valley and Chesterfield Square shelters this summer, Best Friends criticized Dains, the Animal Services general manager, as the “biggest barrier” to improving conditions at the shelters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barricade
• blockade
• boundary
• fence
• hurdle
• impediment
• limit
• obstacle
• railing
• roadblock
• wall