barrack

1 of 3

noun

bar·​rack ˈber-ək How to pronounce barrack (audio)
-ik;
ˈba-rək
-rik
Synonyms of barracknext
1
: a building or set of buildings used especially for lodging soldiers in garrison
usually used in plural
2
a
: a structure resembling a shed or barn that provides temporary housing
usually used in plural
b
: housing characterized by extreme plainness or dreary uniformity
usually used in plural

barrack

2 of 3

verb (1)

barracked; barracking; barracks

transitive verb

: to lodge in barracks

barrack

3 of 3

verb (2)

barracked; barracking; barracks

transitive verb

chiefly British
: to shout at derisively or sarcastically

intransitive verb

1
chiefly Australia : root, cheer
usually used with for
2
chiefly British : jeer, scoff
barracker noun

Examples of barrack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Riverlawn was a project of apartments and barracks-type rooming houses adjacent to Frontier. Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 Today, visitors can walk inside the palisade walls, watch a film in the King’s Storehouse, hear cannon and musket firings, and explore barracks, houses, a church and other structures that interpret a year‑round community of roughly 200–300 people and a much larger seasonal population. Andy Morrison, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Villa’s supporters revelled in his struggles as the game went on, booing and barracking. Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Simone studied Sanskrit, did social outreach with Indo-Chinese factory workers barracked in a prison, and joined a Resistance network. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for barrack

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French baraque hut, from Catalan barraca

Verb (2)

perhaps from dialect (northern Ireland) barrack to brag

First Known Use

Noun

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb (1)

1701, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of barrack was in 1686

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Cite this Entry

“Barrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrack. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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