barracks

UK: /ˈbærəks/

From barrack (n): npl: barracks

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

barracks / ˈbærəks/ noun:plural (sometimes singular; when plural, sometimes functions as singular)

1. a building or group of buildings used to accommodate military personnel
2. any large building used for housing people, esp temporarily
3. a large and bleak building

Etymology: 17th Century: from French baraque, from Old Catalan barraca hut, of uncertain origin

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bar•rack¹ /ˈbærək/   n. [countable] Usually, barracks. [plural]

1. Military a building or group of buildings in which soldiers can live or work.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bar•rack¹  (bar′ək), n. Usually, barracks. 

1. Military a building or group of buildings for lodging soldiers, esp. in garrison.
2. any large, plain building in which many people are lodged.

v.t., v.i. 

3. Military to lodge in barracks.

• Catalan barraca hut, of obscure origin, originally
• French baraque, Middle French
• 1680–90

bar•rack²  (bar′ək),  Australian, Brit.
v.i. 

1. British Terms to shout boisterously for or against a player or team;
   root or jeer.

v.t. 

2. British Terms to shout for or against.

• north, northern Ireland dialect, dialectal barrack to brag
• origin, originally Australian English, perh. 1885–90

bar′rack•er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

barrack / ˈbærək/ verb

1. to house (people, esp soldiers) in barracks

barrack / ˈbærək/ verb

1. to criticize loudly or shout against (a player, team, speaker, etc); jeer
2. (intransitive) followed by for: to shout support (for)

Etymology: 19th Century: from northern Irish: to boast