barrelful

noun

bar·​rel·​ful ˈber-əl-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce barrelful (audio)
ˈba-rəl-
plural barrelfuls ˈber-əl-ˌfu̇lz How to pronounce barrelful (audio)
ˈba-rəl-
or barrelsful ˈber-əlz-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce barrelful (audio)
ˈba-rəlz-
1
: as much or as many as a barrel will hold
2
: a large number or amount
a barrelful of laughs

Examples of barrelful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At issue is a barrelful of leftover spending bills totaling more than $1 trillion, as well as the $33 billion Trump requested in emergency money for the Pentagon and border security. Andrew Taylor, Orange County Register, 8 Apr. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of barrelful was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near barrelful

Cite this Entry

“Barrelful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrelful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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