barricade

1 of 2

verb

bar·​ri·​cade ˈber-ə-ˌkād 

ˈba-rə-;

ˌber-ə-ˈkād, 

ˌba-rə-

barricaded; barricading

transitive verb

1

: to block off or stop up with a barricade

barricade a street

2

: to prevent access to by means of a barricade

barricade

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an obstruction or rampart thrown up across a way or passage to check the advance of the enemy

b

: barrier sense 1a

2

: barrier sense 3, obstacle

3

barricades plural : a field of combat or dispute

Synonyms of barricade

Verb

• guard

Noun

• fence
• barrier
• wall

Examples of barricade in a Sentence

Verb

The police barricaded the crime scene.

the city barricaded the flooded streets to through traffic

Noun

The enemy broke through the barricade.

Police erected barricades to keep the crowds from approaching the crime scene.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Two years ago, though, Columbia barricaded itself behind walls and checkpoints. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Aug. 2026

Later, a few students took over Hamilton Hall, barricading themselves inside. — Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Noun

Officers pointed guns, sirens were sounded, and barricades went up at the gate entrance, KEYT reported. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Running battles erupted throughout downtown as security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, while protesters responded with barricades, stones, and slingshots. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Middle French, noun derivative of barricade barricade entry 2

Noun

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, from barrique "barrel," a typical component of barricades (borrowed from Gascon barriqua, probably going back to pre-Latin *barrīca) + -ade -ade

First Known Use

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing barricade

• barricade oneself

Rhymes for barricade

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed
• escapade

Kids Definition

barricade

1 of 2 verb

bar·​ri·​cade ˈbar-ə-ˌkād 

ˌbar-ə-ˈkād

barricaded; barricading

: to block off with a barricade

barricade

2 of 2 noun

: a barrier usually made in a hurry for protection against attack or for blocking the way