Definition of barrier
- highway barriers
- a barrier contraceptive
- geographic barriers to species dissemination
- barrier beaches
- drugs that cross the placental barrier
- behavioral barriers
- trade barriers
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.
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.
First Known Use: 14th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1a
See Words from the same yearblock, chain, clog, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, handicap, hindrance, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, obstacle, obstruction, roadblock, stop, stumbling block, trammel;
fetter, hobble, manacle, shackle(s);
constraint, curb, restraint, snag;
buffer, bulwark, bumper, cushion, dam, fender, pad, rampart;
: 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
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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