barker

1 of 2

noun (1)

bark·​er ˈbär-kər How to pronounce barker (audio)
: one that barks
especially : a person who advertises by hawking at an entrance to a show

barker

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one that removes or prepares bark

Examples of barker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Hell’s carnival barker leads visitors through a freak show with fire breathers, a knife thrower and the spawn of Satan himself. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 Consummate carnival barker William Castle issued $1,000 life insurance policies (backed by Lloyds of London) with tickets to his 1958 fright-fast Macabre in the event that audience-members be scared to death. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 24 Sep. 2024 While these financial technologies have often been framed as either the shadowy domain of criminals or Lambo driving crypto bros, Harris has the chance to carve out a balanced path between naysayers and carnival barkers—empowering Americans, and America, to thrive in the emerging Web3 economy. Tonya Evans, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Customers can receive kits at home and mail impressions of their mouths to Pop On to be processed into plastic veneers, but many opt instead for the in-person experience, available at Pop On’s physical space, which sits near Manhattan’s Penn Station about as quietly as a carnival barker. Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for barker 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barker was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near barker

Cite this Entry

“Barker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barker. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

barker

noun
bark·​er
ˈbär-kər
: a person who stands at the entrance to a show and tries to attract customers by loud fast talk
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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