bark

verb (1)

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\ ˈbärk

barked; barking; barks

Definition of bark

(Entry 1 of 5)

intransitive verb

1a : to make the characteristic short loud cry of a dog

b : to make a noise resembling a bark

2 : to speak in a curt loud and usually angry tone : snap

3 informal : to produce a usually sharp, sudden pain … at 36 and with his mustache turning gray and his body barking back in pain, Luis DeLeon is in spring training with the Cubs.— Joseph A. Reaves The shoulder is pain-free for now, but his elbow barks at him occasionally …— Mike Lupica

transitive verb

1 : to utter in a curt loud usually angry tone an officer barking orders

2 : to advertise by persistent outcry barking their wares

bark up the wrong tree

: to promote or follow a mistaken course (as in doing research)

bark

noun (1)

Definition of bark (Entry 2 of 5)

1a : the sound made by a barking dog

b : a similar sound

2 : a short sharp peremptory tone of speech or utterance

someone's bark is worse than his/her bite

—used to say that someone known for harsh or angry speech does not actually treat others in an unfairly harsh or harmful wayChairman Paul Millership was larger than life and shouted his orders loud and clear. But his bark was worse than his bite and he was scrupulously fair to employees who put in the effort.— The Nottingham Evening Post

bark

noun (2)

Definition of bark (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : the tough exterior covering of a woody root or stem specifically : the tissues outside the cambium that include an inner layer especially of secondary phloem and an outer layer of periderm

2 : cinchona sense 2

3 : a candy containing chocolate and nuts that is made in a sheet and broken into pieces

bark

verb (2)

barked; barking; barks

Definition of bark (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to treat with an infusion of tanbark

2a : to strip the bark from

b : to rub off or abrade the skin of barked a shin on the desk

bark

noun (3)