bar·ri·er (b r - r)n.1. A structure, such as a fence, built to bar passage. 2. Something immaterial that obstructs or impedes: Intolerance is a barrier to understanding. See Synonyms at obstacle. 3. Physiology A membrane, tissue, or mechanism that blocks the passage of certain substances. 4. Ecology A physical or biological factor that limits the migration, interbreeding, or free movement of individuals or populations. 5. A boundary or limit. 6. Something that separates or holds apart. 7. A movable gate that keeps racehorses in line before the start of a race. 8. The palisades or fences enclosing the lists of a medieval tournament. Often used in the plural. 9. Geology An ice barrier.
[Middle English barrer, from Old French barriere, from Vulgar Latin *barr ria, from *barra, bar.] |
barrier Noun 1. anything that blocks a way or separates, such as a gate 2. anything that prevents progress: a barrier of distrust 3. anything that separates or hinders union: a language barrier [Old French barre bar]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | barrier - a structure or object that impedes free movementbarricade - a barrier (usually thrown up hastily) to impede the advance of an enemy; "they stormed the barricade" bulwark - a fencelike structure around a deck (usually plural) crash barrier - a strong protective barrier that is erected around a racetrack or in the middle of a dual-lane highway in order to reduce the likelihood of severe accidents dam, dike, dyke - a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea fender, wing - a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud; "in Britain they call a fender a wing" grating, grate - a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air hurdle - a light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races rail, railing - a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports barricade, roadblock - a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc. | | 2. | barrier - any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective; "intolerance is a barrier to understanding"obstacle, obstruction - something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted; "lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement"; "the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education"; "the filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan" ideological barrier - a barrier to cooperation or interaction resulting from conflicting ideologies language barrier - barrier to communication resulting from speaking different languages | | 3. | barrier - anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or accessbar - a submerged (or partly submerged) ridge in a river or along a shore; "the boat ran aground on a submerged bar in the river" blood-brain barrier - a mechanism that creates a barrier between brain tissues and circulating blood; serves to protect the central nervous system; "the brain was protected from the large molecules of the virus by the blood-brain barrier" curtain - any barrier to communication or vision; "a curtain of secrecy"; "a curtain of trees" mechanism - a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function; "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection" |
barrier noun barricade, wall, bar, block, railing, fence, pale, boundary, obstacle, ditch, blockade, obstruction, rampart, bulwark, palisade, stockade
A coordinated series of obstacles designed or employed to channel, direct, restrict, delay, or stop the movement of an opposing force and to impose additional losses in personnel, time, and equipment on the opposing force. Barriers can exist naturally, be manmade, or a combination of both.
Translations barrier [ˈbærɪəʳ] n → barrera (= crash barrier); barrera
barrier [ˈbærɪəʳ] n → barrière f;
barrier [ˈbærɪəʳ] n ( at frontier, entrance) → Schranke f;
barrier [ˈbærɪəʳ] n → barriera; (BRIT) (also: crash barrier) → guardrail m inv
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