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
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 on the Web
Mendez crashed head-on into the mini-van, sending it off the right side of the highway and into a concrete barrier, according to the report.
—
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2024
In the first, the Evija X gets the green light to start its run, performs a smoky burnout, and immediately crashes into the right hay bale barrier, demolishing its front end in the process.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 July 2024
Though adaptive trials hold immense potential for advancing medical research, their complexity often creates a barrier to widespread adoption.
—Raviv Pryluk and Mike Walsh, STAT, 12 July 2024
On the north side of the park are townhomes and houses in a dense residential subdivision, with I-75 forming a noisy barrier to the west.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier 
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2024
In the first, the Evija X gets the green light to start its run, performs a smoky burnout, and immediately crashes into the right hay bale barrier, demolishing its front end in the process.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 July 2024
Though adaptive trials hold immense potential for advancing medical research, their complexity often creates a barrier to widespread adoption.
—Raviv Pryluk and Mike Walsh, STAT, 12 July 2024
On the north side of the park are townhomes and houses in a dense residential subdivision, with I-75 forming a noisy barrier to the west.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barrier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near barrier
Cite this Entry
“Barrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
barrier
noun
bar·ri·er
ˈbar-ē-ər 
1
: something (as a fence, railing, or natural obstacle) that blocks the way
2
: something not material that keeps apart or makes progress difficult
language barriers
Medical Definition
barrier
noun
bar·ri·er
ˈbar-ē-ər
1
a
: a material object or set of objects that separates, demarcates, or serves as a barricade see blood-brain barrier, placental barrier
b
: 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
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