barrier

[ bar-ee-er ]
/ ˈbær i ər /

noun

Origin of barrier

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

synonym study for barrier

1–3. See bar1.

Example sentences from the Web for barrier

British Dictionary definitions for barrier

barrier
/ (ˈbærɪə) /

noun

anything serving to obstruct passage or to maintain separation, such as a fence or gate
anything that prevents or obstructs passage, access, or progress a barrier of distrust
anything that separates or hinders union a language barrier
  1. an exposed offshore sand bar separated from the shore by a lagoon
  2. (as modifier)a barrier beach
(sometimes capital) that part of the Antarctic icecap extending over the sea

Word Origin for barrier

C14: from Old French barriere, from barre bar 1

Medical definitions for barrier

barrier
[ bărē-ər ]

n.

A boundary or limit.
An obstacle or impediment.
Something that separates or holds apart.
Something immaterial that obstructs or impedes behavior.
A physical or biological factor that limits the migration, interbreeding, or free movement of individuals or populations.