barrier

noun bar·ri·er \ ˈber-ē-ər , ˈba-rē- \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: barrier in a Sentence

Definition of barrier

1 a : something material that blocks or is intended to block passage

highway barriers

a barrier contraceptive

b : a natural formation or structure that prevents or hinders movement or action

geographic barriers to species dissemination

barrier beaches

drugs that cross the placental barrier

2 barriers or Barriers plural : a medieval war game in which combatants fight on foot with a fence or railing between them

3 : something immaterial that impedes or separates : obstacle

behavioral barriers

trade barriers

See barrier defined for English-language learners

See barrier defined for kids

Examples of barrier in a Sentence

Concrete barriers surround the race track to protect spectators.
The tree's roots serve as a barrier against soil erosion.
The mountain range forms a natural barrier between the two countries.
Both leaders are in favor of removing trade barriers.
Cultural barriers have made it hard for women to enter many professions.
He argues that regulations should not be viewed as barriers to progress.

Recent Examples of barrier from the Web

But in Canada, indigenous women artists have faced a unique set of barriers.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Unprecedented Billboard Campaign Puts Spotlight on Indigenous Artists in Canada," 13 July 2018
Supply chains are so globally intertwined that tariffs and other trade barriers will produce collateral damage – and some of that damage will hurt your own workers and consumers – or those in nations that aren’t directly targeted.

— molly jackson, The Christian Science Monitor, "In a US-China trade war, big losers include ... BMW? Taiwan?," 12 July 2018
In spite of geographical barriers, texts, emails, and songs shared in a digital space fostered an especially deep connection that could never be realized IRL.

— mackenzie wagoner, Vogue, "Meet the Designer Behind the Space Age Interiors That Will Soothe You This Summer," 28 June 2018
The program strives to remove any barriers that students might face, CIS Miami CEO Elyssa Linares said.

— emily himes, miamiherald, "She was homeless and in high school. Through this program, she got a major boost.," 27 June 2018
Set the bar high and remove the barriers and excuses.

— steve jagler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jagler: Marcus Theatres' Rolando Rodriguez is reinventing the moviegoing experience," 22 June 2018
The German carmakers continue to hope that the conflict will blow over and perhaps even provide a catalyst for removing trade barriers with the United States.

— jack ewing, New York Times, "Europe Retaliates Against Trump Tariffs," 21 June 2018
For example, most of the barriers dividing the two countries did not begin construction until 1994.

— fernando ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "What crossing the border looked like six to seven decades ago," 21 June 2018
Gianfranco Zola is expected to come in alongside Sarri as sporting director, to act as something of a barrier between the Napoli man and the Blues' board - with Sarri notoriously reluctant to be involved in transfer dealings.

— SI.com, "Chelsea Reach 'Total Agreement' With New Manager as Antonio Conte Compensation Decided," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'barrier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of barrier

Middle English barrere, from Anglo-French, from barre bar

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

barrier Synonyms

BARRIER Defined for English Language Learners

barrier

noun

Definition of barrier for English Language Learners

: something (such as a fence or natural obstacle) that prevents or blocks movement from one place to another
: a law, rule, problem, etc., that makes something difficult or impossible
: something that makes it difficult for people to understand each other