barrier

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

|Updated on: 17 Jun 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

Trump threatened to stop trading with any country that didn’t reduce tariffs and trade barriers on Saturday.

— hallie detrick, Fortune, "President Trump Is Still Very Angry With Canada's PM Justin Trudeau," 12 June 2018
The aide said Trump reiterated that his ultimate goal is to have no tariffs and trade barriers at all.

— NBC News, "GOP's division on tariffs erupts on Senate floor," 12 June 2018
That film can dull your razor, not to mention add a barrier to a close shave.

— leah prinzivalli, Allure, "Beauty Vlogger Jessie B Uses Olive Oil to Shave Her Bikini Line, But Is It Safe?," 12 June 2018
William observes that there seems to be some barrier—something about the mind that resists duplication.

— sandra upson, WIRED, "Westworld Recap, Season 2 Episode 8: The Great Ghost Nation Mystery," 11 June 2018
Transgender patients often experience tremendous barriers to health care, including discrimination and an unfortunate lack of providers who are knowledgeable about and sensitive to this population.

— nathan levitt, SELF, "6 Things Every Transgender Person Should Know About Going to the Doctor," 11 June 2018
That meant low barriers to entry that also targeted long-standing medical marijuana growers, whose product is not taxed.

— gillian flaccus, The Christian Science Monitor, "Oregon faces fallout from a flooded marijuana market," 31 May 2018
Wendy Matthews, executive director for southern and western New England, said the biggest barrier to people getting treatment is actually getting to a treatment site.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Relay For Life Faithful Walk On In Spite Of Rain," 29 May 2018
John Pawlowski , 60, died Saturday morning on Interstate 70 when an out-of-control SUV crashed through a barrier into the eastbound lanes just past Interstate 435 in Kansas City and hit their motorcycle head-on.

— joe robertson, kansascity, "Harley-riding financier killed, wife critically hurt after SUV hit them on I-70 in KC | The Kansas City Star," 14 May 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