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

After opposition protesters, many of them students, set up tents and barriers near Tbilisi State University, police moved in early on Tuesday to disperse them by force.

From BBC

However, continuously running these AI models is costly, creating a financial barrier to widespread use, say the investigators.

From Science Daily

Once they reach the top of the epidermis, they undergo a programmed death, cornification, to create a protective barrier of dead cells.

From Science Daily

Police were initially called to the scene after the offenders crashed through a security barrier at the farm gate on the way out, which caught the attention of staff.

From Salon

Returning to work has emerged as one of the main barriers to exclusive and continued breastfeeding.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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