Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

barring

preposition
bar·​ring | \ ˈbär-iŋ \

Definition of barring

: excluding by exception : excepting … they knew that, barring a miracle, they would never be able to save the large cash outlay required …— Warner Olivier
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about barring

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of barring in a Sentence

No one, barring the magician himself, knows how the trick is done. we'll be there, barring rain or some other unexpected problem

First Known Use of barring

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about barring

Statistics for barring

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for barring

The first known use of barring was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for barring

barring

preposition

English Language Learners Definition of barring

—used to say that something will happen unless something else happens
: other than (someone or something)

See the full definition for barring in the English Language Learners Dictionary

barring

preposition
bar·​ring

Kids Definition of barring

: aside from the possibility of Barring an emergency, I'll be there.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on barring

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for barring

Spanish Central: Translation of barring

Nglish: Translation of barring for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of barring for Arabic Speakers

Comments on barring

What made you want to look up barring? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

minion

a servile follower or underling

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

What did you just call me?! A Quiz

  • rows-of-various-emoji
  • If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. crosshair Roger Stone posts controversial photo

  2. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  3. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games