barbican

UK: /ˈbɑːbɪkən/ US: (bär′bi kən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bar•bi•can  (bär′bi kən), n. 

1. an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle.
2. a defensive outpost of any sort.

Also, barbacan. 

• Old French barbacane or Medieval Latin barbacana, perh. Persian bālāḥāna terrace over a roof, upper floor, altered by association with Latin barba beard, a beard marking the front or face of a thing
• Middle English barbecan, barbican 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

barbican / ˈbɑːbɪkən/ noun

1. a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification
2. a watchtower projecting from a fortification

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French barbacane, from Medieval Latin barbacana, of unknown origin

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Barbican / ˈbɑːbɪkən/ noun

1. the Barbican ⇒ a building complex in the City of London: includes residential developments and the Barbican Arts Centre (completed 1982) housing concert and exhibition halls, theatres, cinemas, etc