barrack
barrack Lexical Profile
barrack Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A building or group of buildings used to house soldiers or other military personnel (usually used in the plural, 'barracks').
"The recruits returned to their barrack after a long day of training exercises."
North American A simple, temporary roofed structure consisting of four posts and a movable roof, used for storing hay or straw.
"The farmer stored the extra hay under a wooden barrack at the edge of the pasture."
• verb
To lodge or quarter soldiers or workers in a military building or dormitory.
"The visiting regiment was barracked in the old stone fortress overlooking the harbor."
British To jeer loudly or shout mocking, hostile remarks at a performer, speaker, or sports player.
"Unhappy fans began to barrack the referee after the controversial penalty decision."
Australian To cheer for or enthusiastically support a particular person or sports team (usually followed by 'for').
"Her entire family has barracked for the local football club for three generations."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun referring to military housing, the word is almost always used in the plural form 'barracks' (often functioning with either a singular or plural verb). As a verb, 'barrack' is a regional contronym: in British English it means to jeer or heckle, whereas in Australian and New Zealand English ('barrack for') it means to cheer for or support a team.
• Rhymes for barrack
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 17th century from French 'baraque', from Italian 'baracca' or Spanish 'barraca' ('soldier's tent or hut'), of uncertain ultimate origin. The Australian sense of cheering or jeering likely derives from Northern Irish dialect 'barrack' ('to brag or boast').