: wire that has sharp points and that is often used for fences
a fence made of barbed wire = a barbed-wire fence
called also (US) barbwire
Cite this Entry
“Barbed wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/barbed%20wire. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
