barbershop

1 of 2

noun

bar·​ber·​shop ˈbär-bər-ˌshäp How to pronounce barbershop (audio)
: a barber's place of business

barbershop

2 of 2

adjective

: of a style of unaccompanied group singing of popular songs usually marked by highly conventionalized close harmony

Examples of barbershop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The first option was Morrison Street, which intersects with Market Street, in front of the building that housed Morrow’s barbershop and media company. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025 Williams ran but collapsed at the back of the barbershop, police said. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
This unique fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent brings barbershop charm to your day, and sticks around for hours. Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for barbershop

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from the old custom of men in barbershops forming quartets for impromptu singing of sentimental songs

First Known Use

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbershop was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Barbershop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbershop. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

barbershop

noun
bar·​ber·​shop
ˈbär-bər-ˌshäp
: a barber's place of business
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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