To save this word, you'll need to log in.
bar·ri·er | \ ˈber-ē-ər 
, ˈba-rē- \
, ˈba-rē- \Definition of barrier
1a : 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
Keep scrolling for more
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web Border Patrol removes these barriers during the monsoon to prevent flooding and debris buildup and agents monitor the river crossing 24 hours a day.
—
Erin Stone, azcentral, "Crews cut down cottonwood trees at San Pedro River to make way for Trump's border wall," 5 Feb. 2020 If your bale is on bare soil or a weedy patch, put down a few layers of landscape fabric or cardboard to create a barrier so weeds don’t grow up through the straw.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, "Straw Bale Gardening Is Easier Than You Think—Here's What to Know," 30 Jan. 2020 Our mission is to remove transportation barriers so all kids can reach their full potential.
—
Arlene Martinez, USA TODAY, "In California: A deadly avalanche in Lake Tahoe; we sue Trump (again)," 17 Jan. 2020 That decision, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack said, helps remove barriers for people in the legal system and recognizes that cellphone access is essential to people representing themselves in court.
—
Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Pens and pencils were banned in 36th District Court in Detroit — until now," 16 Jan. 2020 These dynamic collaboration tools help remove barriers of space and time.
—
Katie Nielson, Quartz, "The US has a skills gap problem—and it’s ignoring its most obvious solution," 10 Jan. 2020 Yet Trinidadians, Jamaicans, Barbadians, Grenadians, Guyanese, and others continued to emigrate until the British government erected legal barriers in 1971.
—
Dohra Ahmad, The New York Review of Books, "A Lark in West Indian London," 10 Jan. 2020 Some people are probably willing to do all that, and props to them, but even low barriers to recycling discourage a lot of people.
—
Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Here's Your New Pretend Toothpaste," 19 Dec. 2019 Booker failed to clear the barrier for tonight’s event.
—
Soraya Chemaly, Glamour, "Kamala Harris Won't Be on Tonight's Debate Stage. No Matter Who You Support, That Should Matter to You," 19 Dec. 2019
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for barrier
barrier
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of barrier
: 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 the full definition for barrier in the English Language Learners Dictionary
barrier
nounbar·ri·er | \ ˈber-ē-ər \
\Kids Definition of barrier
1 : something (as a fence) that blocks the way
2 : something that keeps apart or makes progress difficult
a language barrier
barrier
nounbar·ri·er | \ ˈbar-ē-ər \
\Medical Definition of barrier
1a : 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 nounbarrier contraception
2 : a factor that tends to restrict the free movement, mingling, or interbreeding of individuals or populations
behavioral and geographic barriers to hybridization
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on barrier
What made you want to look up barrier? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
More Confusing Words—Quiz
- The magician
______moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- More Confusing Words—Quiz
How many of these commonly confused words do you know?
Take the quiz - Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition
It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Syn City
Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.
Play the game
Share barrier
Time Traveler for barrier
The first known use of barrier was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century