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Definition of barrier
1a : something material that blocks or is intended to block passage highway barriers a barrier contraceptiveb : 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
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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
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The Justice Department’s inspector general has identified California and major cities such as Chicago, New York and Philadelphia as locales with barriers to information-sharing among local police and immigration officials.
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Women face many barriers including the lack of living wage jobs, access to post-secondary education and affordable child care and transportation.
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The program was developed in an effort to reduce cost barriers to ice hockey participation by providing free equipment.
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The main barrier to passage in the upper chamber has seemed to be the party’s centrists.
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Vivitrol covers the body's receptors and doesn't allow opioids to cross that barrier, Frey said.
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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has sent a proposal to the City Council aimed at reducing barriers to rental housing for people with criminal records.
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Alibaba offers sellers the opportunity to reach the almost half-a-billion shoppers on its sites, but the path to those consumers is full of hurdles, from the language barrier to differences in understanding the Chinese buyer.
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There are a lot of people who are facing some tough barriers in terms of finding employment.
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
BARRIER Defined for English Language Learners
barrier
playDefinition of barrier for English Language Learners
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: something (such as a fence or natural obstacle) that prevents or blocks movement from one place to another
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: a law, rule, problem, etc., that makes something difficult or impossible
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: something that makes it difficult for people to understand each other
BARRIER Defined for Kids
barrier
playDefinition of barrier for Students
1 : something (as a fence) that blocks the way
2 : something that keeps apart or makes progress difficult a language barrier
Medical Dictionary
barrier
playMedical Definition of barrier
1a: a material object or set of objects that separates, demarcates, or serves as a barricade—see blood-brain barrier, placental barrierb: a contraceptive device (such as a condom or cervical cap) that prevents sperm from entering the uterus—often used before another noun barrier contraception
2: a factor that tends to restrict the free movement, mingling, or interbreeding of individuals or populations behavioral and geographic barriers to hybridization
Learn More about barrier
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See words that rhyme with barrier Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for barrier Spanish Central: Translation of barrier Nglish: Translation of barrier for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of barrier for Arabic speakers
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