barrier

UK: /ˈbæriə^r/ US: /ˈbæriɚ/ ,(bar′ē ər)

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

bar•ri•er /ˈbæriɚ/   n. [countable]

1. something, such as a fence, that bars passage or progress.
2. something that obstructs or limits:
   trade barriers.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bar•ri•er  (bar′ē ər), n. 

1. anything built or serving to bar passage, as a railing, fence, or the like:
   People may pass through the barrier only when their train is announced.
2. any natural bar or obstacle:
   a mountain barrier.
3. anything that restrains or obstructs progress, access, etc.:
   a trade barrier.
4. a limit or boundary of any kind:
   the barriers of caste.
5. Geography [Physical Geog.] an antarctic ice shelf or ice front.
6. Geology See barrier beach. 
7. World History barriers, [Hist.] the palisade or railing surrounding the ground where tourneys and jousts were carried on.
8. [Archaic.] a fortress or stockade.

• Medieval Latin barrera
• Anglo-French
• Latin -āria -ary); replacing Middle English barrere
• Middle French barriere (barre bar¹ + -iere
• Middle English 1275–1325

Synonyms

• 1. palisade, wall.
• 1. –3. obstruction, hindrance, impediment. See bar¹. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

barrier / ˈbærɪə/ noun

1. anything serving to obstruct passage or to maintain separation, such as a fence or gate
2. anything that prevents or obstructs passage, access, or progress
3. anything that separates or hinders union: a language barrier

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French barriere, from barre bar¹