barrio

noun

bar·​rio ˈbär-ē-ˌō 

ˈber-, 

ˈba-rē- 

plural barrios

1

: a ward, quarter, or district of a city or town in a Spanish-speaking country

2

: a Spanish-speaking quarter or neighborhood in a city or town in the U.S. especially in the Southwest

Examples of barrio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What really drove the initial engagement was the doubt that the show was real; people didn’t believe that there was a progressive theater company like ours ready to tell the story of Anita Franco and her journey from the barrios of Frankfurt. —David Zucker, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025

Spanish pop-rock singer-singer musician Leiva talks to camera about his life, a childhood accident, his barrio, the band Pereza, friendship with Joaquín Sabina, and a problem with his vocal chords which threatens to end his career. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025

The Greek chorus, substituted for the women living around the barrio, brings a distinct touch as well. —Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025

In the barrios of the American Southwest, chola girls perfected their look with dark lip liner, oversized flannels, and nameplate earrings, styling themselves with fierce precision that both declared loyalty and warded off erasure. —Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Arabic barrī of the open country, from barr outside, open country

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for barrio

• lothario

Kids Definition

barrio

noun

bar·​rio ˈbär-ē-ˌō  ˈbar- 

plural barrios

: a neighborhood where most of the people speak Spanish