barrier

noun

bar·​ri·​er ˈber-ē-ər 

ˈba-rē-

1

a

: something material that blocks or is intended to block passage

highway barriers

a barrier contraceptive

b

: a natural formation or structure that prevents or hinders movement or action

geographic barriers to species dissemination

barrier beaches

drugs that cross the placental barrier

2

barriers or Barriers plural : a medieval war game in which combatants fight on foot with a fence or railing between them

3

: something immaterial that impedes or separates : obstacle

behavioral barriers

trade barriers

Synonyms

• barricade
• fence
• hedge
• wall

Examples of barrier in a Sentence

Concrete barriers surround the race track to protect spectators.

The tree's roots serve as a barrier against soil erosion.

The mountain range forms a natural barrier between the two countries.

Both leaders are in favor of removing trade barriers.

Cultural barriers have made it hard for women to enter many professions.

He argues that regulations should not be viewed as barriers to progress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its limited-release debut in theaters this past weekend broke several cinema barriers. —Abraham Josephine Riesman, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024

Both ingredients strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and stop water from escaping. —Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

To reduce barriers to accessing health care, Chiricahua has opened clinics around the county and is ramping up its mobile clinic program to meet the needs of most rural patients. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024

Berkshire Hathaway’s Buffett has famously argued that great business models often have significant barriers to entry, or moats, that prevent competition from coming in and ruining the party. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024

Issues such as autonomous flight capability and pilot training have proven to be big barriers. —Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

Humectants hydrate without blocking pores, while emollients protect the skin's natural barrier. —Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 3 Apr. 2024

Frequent scratching due to allergies can damage the skin's protective barrier, leading to dryness and further irritation. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

As opposed to building a wall between themselves and their fans, AEG chips away at any barriers meant to cast a hierarchy. —Spin Contributor, SPIN, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barrere, from Anglo-French, from barre bar

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing barrier

• barrier island
• barrier reef
• break the sound barrier
• blood-brain barrier
• Jersey barrier
• crash barrier
• sonic barrier
• language barrier
• the sound barrier
• sound barrier
• vapor barrier

Kids Definition

barrier

noun

bar·​ri·​er ˈbar-ē-ər 

1

: something (as a fence, railing, or natural obstacle) that blocks the way

2

: something not material that keeps apart or makes progress difficult

language barriers

Medical Definition

barrier

noun

bar·​ri·​er ˈbar-ē-ər 

1

a

: a material object or set of objects that separates, demarcates, or serves as a barricade see blood-brain barrier, placental barrier

b

: a contraceptive device (such as a condom or cervical cap) that prevents sperm from entering the uterus

—often used before another noun

barrier contraception

2

: a factor that tends to restrict the free movement, mingling, or interbreeding of individuals or populations

behavioral and geographic barriers to hybridization