barback

noun

bar·​back ˈbär-ˌbak How to pronounce barback (audio)
variants or bar-back
ˈbär-ˌbak
plural barbacks or bar-backs
chiefly US
: a worker whose job is to assist a bartender (as by setting out glasses and restocking beverages)
Then he moved to New York, where he started out as a barback at House of Brews in Midtown Manhattan before moving behind the bar.Coley Ward, Arizona Daily Star, 21 Feb. 2008

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barback was in 1974

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near barback

Cite this Entry

“Barback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barback. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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