noun
barrier
BA-ree-uh
noun
1
A physical structure that blocks passage or access.
"A metal barrier separated the crowd from the runway."
"The fallen tree acted as a barrier across the trail."
2
Something that prevents progress or makes an action difficult.
"The language barrier made it hard for them to communicate at first."
"Cost remains a major barrier to homeownership for young families."
How to Use Barrier
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything — physical or abstract — that blocks passage or progress.
Common pairings
language barrier
break down barriers
a barrier to entry
Word Forms
barriered past tense, barriers plural, Barriers plural, barriers singular
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Etymology
From Anglo-Norman barrere, ultimately from barre ("bar").