barre

noun

ˈbär 

1

plural barres : a handrail used by ballet dancers to maintain balance while exercising : bar sense 1c

He would work at an accelerated tempo at the barre to build up his strength, and learn to "feel the floor" with his toes to increase the elasticity of his elevation.

—Julie Kavanagh

2

: an exercise regimen that typically utilizes a ballet bar and movements taken from or influenced by ballet training

Barre is also low impact and has a built-in handhold, making it a relatively safe form of exercise.

—Markham Heid

Did I mention that every barre class I have ever gone to includes squats? Lots of squats.

—Kathleen Trotter

Examples of barre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fitness classes have also been offered, including yoga, barre and self-defense. —Hang Nguyen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

Kelly Matsunaga, a single mom and fitness icon who teaches barre and Pilates classes to hundreds of thousands of women online, wasn't supposed to be a businesswoman. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025

This cozy sweater is perfect for yoga, pilates, barre, and more with its mid-length fit and flowy design. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025

Winter tuned up his body through Duncan-style exercises—energy radiating from his solar plexus out to his limbs—at the dance barre. —Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Medieval Latin barra

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for barre

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary