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

The neighbourhood was cordoned off after residents barricaded streets, some armed with machetes and makeshift weapons, in an apparent effort to prevent a gang invasion.

From BBC

In late October, Mr Bush had told his girlfriend Ella Jeffries that he had barricaded himself into his bedroom one evening after a discussion with Mr Thomas.

From BBC

Some supporters went up to him to take photos, but the council member posed from his side of the barricades.

From Los Angeles Times

"That included setting up temporary parking infrastructure for over 12,000 people, setting up barricades, setting up temporary lighting and hiring a towing company. The invoice we sent the campaign reflects that."

From Salon

He said it quickly dawned on him “because parades usually have barricades, security, police and some sort of organisation” and he could see no evidence of that, just “vast amounts of people”.

From BBC

Related Words

• blockade
• fortify