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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Now politics, not skepticism, may be wind power’s biggest barrier.
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At the White House sessions, drugmakers have suggested ideas such as removing barriers to drug-price contracts based on the results that medicines deliver for patients, Jimenez told investors in Boston on Wednesday.
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Jason Baker, 36, of Uniontown, and 33-year-old Nicole Renee McNeal, of Faunsdale, were killed May 14 when the vehicle Baker was driving left Alabama 25, struck a concrete barrier and caught fire at 2:35 a.m.
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The nose of Button's car flipped Wehrlein's car onto its side and up against the barrier.
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This month, city workers will finally begin the installation of a new barrier, a grey netting that will blend into the water without obscuring the view.
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Zbigniew Brzezinski, who helped topple economic barriers between the Soviet Union, China and the West as President Jimmy Carter’s national security adviser, died Friday.
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In contrast to the Greek starting gate, contemporary athletes must take off from the starting blocks without the visual aid—and physical barrier—of a starting gate.
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The murder of a Guatemalan immigrant and her two daughters in 2014 thrust the language barrier between the police and immigrant victims of domestic violence into the spotlight.
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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