: one that barks
especially
: a person who advertises by hawking at an entrance to a show
: one that removes or prepares bark
Examples of barker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tommy Cummings, Dallas News, 30 Aug. 2023
For the past eighteen years, Breen has spent nine months of every year out on the road, traveling the country with the company—first as a sword-swallower, then as a front-talker (never call them carnival barkers), later as a partner, and now as the sole proprietor.
—David Hill, Harper's Magazine, 12 Apr. 2022
Two chairs sit outside most of the stores all day, where a staffer can sit, part security guard, part carnival barker.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 15 June 2023
The party that once dined out on the elegant optimism of Ronald Reagan and the combative intelligence of William Buckley has been hijacked by a narcissistic carnival barker and his mob of conspiracy theorists, science deniers and Christo-fascists.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022
In season 1, Aaron portrayed Danny Bailey, a carnival barker with unrequited feelings for Melissa in the 1950s storyline.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 11 June 2023
Presiding over it all was Mr. Springer, who variously served as a referee, ringmaster, carnival barker and relationship counselor.
—Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023
Turn your head and a murderous carnival barker will be waiting just out of your eye line to chop you up and serve you to the crowds.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2021
Sochi has become a horrendous barker at those same things.
—Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2021
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Noun
Expect the sounds of midway barkers as games beep and buzz.
—Tommy Cummings, Dallas News, 30 Aug. 2023
For the past eighteen years, Breen has spent nine months of every year out on the road, traveling the country with the company—first as a sword-swallower, then as a front-talker (never call them carnival barkers), later as a partner, and now as the sole proprietor.
—David Hill, Harper's Magazine, 12 Apr. 2022
Two chairs sit outside most of the stores all day, where a staffer can sit, part security guard, part carnival barker.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 15 June 2023
The party that once dined out on the elegant optimism of Ronald Reagan and the combative intelligence of William Buckley has been hijacked by a narcissistic carnival barker and his mob of conspiracy theorists, science deniers and Christo-fascists.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022
In season 1, Aaron portrayed Danny Bailey, a carnival barker with unrequited feelings for Melissa in the 1950s storyline.
—Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 11 June 2023
Presiding over it all was Mr. Springer, who variously served as a referee, ringmaster, carnival barker and relationship counselor.
—Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023
Turn your head and a murderous carnival barker will be waiting just out of your eye line to chop you up and serve you to the crowds.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2021
Sochi has become a horrendous barker at those same things.
—Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near barker
Cite this Entry
“Barker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barker. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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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
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