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barrage

noun (1)
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bar·​rage | \ ˈbär-ij How to pronounce barrage (audio) \

Definition of barrage

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: a dam placed in a watercourse to increase the depth of water or to divert it into a channel for navigation or irrigation

barrage

noun (2)
bar·​rage | \ bə-ˈräzh How to pronounce barrage (audio) , -ˈräj How to pronounce barrage (audio) \

Definition of barrage (Entry 2 of 3)

1 military : artillery fire laid on a line (see line entry 1 sense 6c) close to friendly troops to screen and protect them The enemy laid down a barrage of machine-gun fire as our platoon approached the bridge.
2 : a vigorous or rapid outpouring or projection of many things at once a barrage of phone calls unleashed a barrage of insults an oratorical barrage

barrage

verb
bar·​rage | \ bə-ˈräzh How to pronounce barrage (audio) , -ˈräj How to pronounce barrage (audio) \
barraged; barraging

Definition of barrage (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to deliver a barrage (see barrage entry 2) against were barraged with bullets being barraged by campaign ads before the election
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Synonyms for barrage

Synonyms: Verb

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Examples of barrage in a Sentence

Verb the star athlete was barraged with requests for an autograph

First Known Use of barrage

Noun (1)

1837, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for barrage

Noun (1)

French, from barrer to bar, from barre bar

Noun (2)

French (tir de) barrage barrier fire

Verb

verbal derivative of barrage entry 2

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Time Traveler for barrage

Time Traveler

The first known use of barrage was in 1837

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Cite this Entry

“Barrage.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrage. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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More Definitions for barrage

barrage

verb
How to pronounce barrage (audio) How to pronounce barrage (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of barrage

chiefly US : to cause (someone) to receive a great amount of something : to direct a barrage of questions, comments, etc., at (someone)

See the full definition for barrage in the English Language Learners Dictionary

barrage

noun
bar·​rage | \ bə-ˈräzh How to pronounce barrage (audio) \

Kids Definition of barrage

1 : a heavy and continuous firing of weapons during a battle
2 : a great amount of something that comes quickly and continuously a barrage of commercials

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More from Merriam-Webster on barrage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for barrage

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with barrage

Spanish Central: Translation of barrage

Nglish: Translation of barrage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of barrage for Arabic Speakers

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