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barrier

barrier

172 2.8
A thing that blocks movement or keeps places apart
  • noun
  • /ˈbɛriər/
: barrera
  • Now you may cross the barrier.
  • a physical barrier
  • a natural barrier
  • barrier island

It is fun, but it breaks down the barrier between students and faculty.

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Examples

  • Please remain behind the barriers...

  • Grant and Lex are at the bottom of the large barrier leading up to the park road.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Either it is a little barrier or it's tape.

  • It's more like a little barrier, but it's a start.

  • Yeah, each one of the plants has a a little barrier of this.

  • Oh, he would raise and lower the barrier at the crossing, for traffic.

  • Line up in single file along the barriers.

  • Its work focuses on how sexual harassment in schools operates as a barrier to equal education.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Locals and tourists alike position themselves behind police barriers that line the major parade routes.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The road was blocked by a large concrete barrier that prevented any vehicles from passing.

Synonyms

gate
vsbarrier
922 1.0

A barrier that opens and closes in a fence or wall

is used in many situations, not only to close fence or enclosure openings
obstacle
vsbarrier
298 3.4

A thing or problem that makes it hard to reach a goal

is used for physical objects or structures, not for problems or situations
wall
vsbarrier
275 5.1

A situation that stops progress or makes it hard to continue

is a physical object or structure that blocks movement or keeps things apart
hurdle
vsbarrier
99 3.8

An obstacle or problem you must overcome

is a general object that blocks movement and is not specifically for racing
barricade
vsbarrier
71 4.8

A barrier put up to block a road or entrance

is a general object that blocks movement without implying defense
brick wall
vsbarrier
  • Informal
46 4.1

A problem you cannot get past

is a neutral object that blocks movement without implying impossibility
obstruction
vsbarrier
37 4.4

A thing that blocks a passage like a pipe or artery

is any object or structure that blocks movement without stressing severity
blockage
vsbarrier
34 4.1

Something that blocks a pipe or blood vessel and stops flow

is a general object that blocks movement not limited to pipes or tubes
blockader
vsbarrier
1 7.4

A thing placed across a road or entrance to stop people entering and vehicles passing

is any object that blocks movement or access in many settings
movable barrier
vsbarrier
1 3.7

An object you move to stop or allow traffic

is a general object that blocks movement without implying mobility
stopblock
vsbarrier
1 5.7

A block that keeps a vehicle from moving past the end of a track

is broader, blocking movement or access rather than just stopping at a point
obstructor
vsbarrier
8.1

An object that blocks a path or movement

is an object or structure that stops movement rather than simply impedes it

Antonyms

∞ 2.6

The right to enter and use something like a building or online service

101 1.0

A space that lets people move through, for example a door

Compounds

Difficulty communicating because people do not share a common language

barrier island
  • Specialized
13 4.6

A long narrow sandy island near the coast that protects the mainland from waves and storms

barrier reef
  • Specialized
13 4.1

A long narrow line of coral running parallel to the coast with shallow water between it and the land

A very large coral reef system off the northeast coast of Australia

trade barrier
  • Specialized
9 5.0

A government rule that limits goods from other countries, for example by charging extra tax or setting limits

sound barrier
  • Specialized
7 5.7

The point near the speed of sound when a plane feels a sudden push and strong vibration

barrier to entry
  • Specialized
7 6.0

Something that makes it hard for new businesses to enter a market

color barrier
  • Offensive
4 5.9

A rule or practice that keeps Black people and other races from taking part equally with white people

blood-brain barrier
  • Specialized
3 5.1

A barrier of blood vessels and cells that stops harmful substances in the blood from entering the brain

Something that stops a project or work from moving forward

thermal barrier
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A limit to how fast planes or spacecraft can go because the air makes them very hot at high speed

1 3.2

A strong barrier at the side or middle of a road that stops cars from leaving the road

sonic barrier
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A sudden increase in air resistance when a plane nears the speed of sound

A rule or tax that limits goods coming into a country

An obstacle to talking and working together because people have different beliefs or values

An object you move to stop or allow traffic

junction barrier
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A device that connects two wires or cables directly without plugs

heat barrier
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A speed limit where a plane gets so hot that its parts can be damaged

barrier strip
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A small block with screws that connects electric wires securely

tilt barrier
  • Archaic
9.9

A long wooden fence between two knights during a joust to stop them hitting each other

How Strong

fortification
12 6.6
barrier
172 2.8
wall
∞ 1.0
fence
641 1.0

Surface Forms

barrier singular
barriers plural

Morphology

barrier = bar (transparent) = bar + ier

The physical object meaning is a straightforward instrument/place formation from 'bar'.

Etymology

Barrier comes from an old French word for bar, a rod or fence placed across a path to stop movement. So, a barrier is an object or structure that 'blocks' access or keeps things apart.