barricade

[ bar-i-keyd, bar-i-keyd ]

noun

1. a defensive barrier hastily constructed, as in a street, to stop an enemy.
2. any barrier that obstructs passage.

verb (used with object)

, bar·ri·cad·ed, bar·ri·cad·ing.

1. to obstruct or block with a barricade:

   barricading the streets to prevent an attack.

2. to shut in and defend with or as if with a barricade:

   The rebels had barricaded themselves in the old city.

   Synonyms: fortify

barricade

/ ˈbærɪˌkeɪd; ˌbærɪˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a barrier for defence, esp one erected hastily, as during street fighting

verb

1. to erect a barricade across (an entrance, passageway, etc) or at points of access to (a room, district of a town, etc)

   they barricaded the door

2. usually passive to obstruct; block

   his mind was barricaded against new ideas

Derived Forms

• ˈbarriˌcader, noun

Other Words From

• barri·cader noun
• un·barri·cade verb (used with object) unbarricaded unbarricading

Word History and Origins

Origin of barricade¹

1585–95; < French, equivalent to barrique barrel (< Gascon ) + -ade -ade ¹; early barricades in Paris were often composed of barrels

Word History and Origins

Origin of barricade¹

C17: from Old French, from barriquer to barricade, from barrique a barrel, from Spanish barrica , from barril barrel

Synonym Study

See bar ¹.

Example Sentences

A Malibu man who briefly barricaded himself in his home after allegedly firing at Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies was arrested Friday afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times

They had overcome days of tear gas shelling and a maze of barricaded roads to get to the city centre.

From BBC

Demonstrators set up barricades in the streets, while police used pepper spray and water cannon on the crowds.

From BBC

There were no barricades or sign boards indicating that the bridge was unfinished.

From BBC

With the help of other inmates, he barricaded the entryway with washing and vending machines, then proceeded to smash all of the televisions, microwaves, sprinkler systems and ice machines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blockade
• fortify