barrier

noun

bar·​ri·​er ˈber-ē-ər 

ˈba-rē-

1

a

: something material that blocks or is intended to block passage

highway barriers

a barrier contraceptive

b

: a natural formation or structure that prevents or hinders movement or action

geographic barriers to species dissemination

barrier beaches

drugs that cross the placental barrier

2

barriers or Barriers plural : a medieval war game in which combatants fight on foot with a fence or railing between them

3

: something immaterial that impedes or separates : obstacle

behavioral barriers

trade barriers

Synonyms of barrier

• wall
• fence
• barricade
• obstacle

Examples of barrier in a Sentence

Concrete barriers surround the race track to protect spectators.

The tree's roots serve as a barrier against soil erosion.

The mountain range forms a natural barrier between the two countries.

Both leaders are in favor of removing trade barriers.

Cultural barriers have made it hard for women to enter many professions.

He argues that regulations should not be viewed as barriers to progress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Waters went on to play just 109 minutes of league football for Wrexham before leaving last January, such was Mullin’s willingness and desire to play through the pain barrier. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2025

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence is all about strengthening your skin barrier while giving it a healthy, hydrated glow. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025

The mission is to remove financial barriers and open doors to higher education for students with disabilities who are aging out of the school system. —Christina Mayo, Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025

States such as Arizona, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas have proposed new barriers to mail-in voting processes—and by extension, to overseas and military voters—through burdensome proof-of-citizenship requirements and narrow residency requirements for voting by mail. —Ellen Gustafson, Time, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barrere, from Anglo-French, from barre bar

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing barrier

• barrier island
• barrier reef
• blood-brain barrier
• break the sound barrier
• crash barrier
• Jersey barrier
• language barrier
• sonic barrier
• sound barrier
• the sound barrier
• vapor barrier

Rhymes for barrier

• carrier
• noncarrier

Kids Definition

barrier

noun

bar·​ri·​er ˈbar-ē-ər 

1

: something (as a fence, railing, or natural obstacle) that blocks the way

2

: something not material that keeps apart or makes progress difficult

language barriers

Medical Definition

barrier

noun

bar·​ri·​er ˈbar-ē-ər 

1

a

: a material object or set of objects that separates, demarcates, or serves as a barricade see blood-brain barrier, placental barrier

b

: a contraceptive device (such as a condom or cervical cap) that prevents sperm from entering the uterus

—often used before another noun

barrier contraception

2

: a factor that tends to restrict the free movement, mingling, or interbreeding of individuals or populations

behavioral and geographic barriers to hybridization