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

“Minullin waited silently in the living room, with his legs pushing against the couch to fortify the barricade,” the lawsuit read.

From Los Angeles Times

On that Saturday morning at sunrise, hundreds of assailants led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas stormed through the border barricade surrounding the Gaza Strip, attacking a string of small communities, an open-air music festival and several military bases.

From Los Angeles Times

Shir twice dismantled the barricade of furniture she had made against her front door to let neighbours in to hide.

From BBC

Some transportation advocates and community leaders want the gates opened, angering many homeowners who said they feel safer with the barricade.

From Los Angeles Times

The Republican also said he wants to “finish the wall,” referring to the U.S.-Mexico border barricade that former President Trump promised in 2016 to build at Mexico’s expense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blockade
• fortify