barbell
barbell Lexical Profile
barbell Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A long metal bar to which disks of varying weights are attached at each end, used for weightlifting, powerlifting, and strength training.
"She loaded an additional twenty pounds onto the barbell before attempting her final squat."
A piece of body piercing jewelry consisting of a straight metallic shaft with a bead or ball threaded onto each end.
"He chose a surgical steel barbell for his new industrial ear piercing."
An investment strategy that heavily weights a portfolio with extremely low-risk and extremely high-risk assets, avoiding intermediate-risk investments.
"The fund manager employed a barbell strategy to balance capital preservation with aggressive growth."
Word Nuance & Usage
The spelling 'barbell' (exercise equipment) is sometimes confused with 'barbel' (a fleshy sensory organ on the mouth of certain fish, such as catfish).
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century from 'bar' + 'bell', patterned after the earlier term 'dumbbell', which originally referred to actual bells with their clappers removed used for strength training.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.