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Definition of barrel

barrel

/ˈbær.əl/
bar · rel

Plural:barrels
•
Past Simple:barreled
•
Past Participle:barreled
•
Present Participle:barreling
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barrel Lexical Profile

barrel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A cylindrical container bulging out in the middle, traditionally made of wooden staves bound by metal hoops.

Example

"The winery aged its finest red wine in a French oak barrel for three years to enhance its flavor."


2

A standard unit of volume or capacity, notably used in the petroleum industry where it is equal to 42 US gallons.

Example

"Economic analysts noted that the price of crude oil had unexpectedly dropped by three dollars a barrel."


3

A cylindrical tube forming part of an object, such as the casing of a pen or the discharging tube of a firearm.

Example

"She tapped the clear plastic barrel of her pen thoughtfully against her notebook."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To drive or move at a high speed, often in a reckless or uncontrolled manner.

Example

"The runaway freight train came barreling down the steep mountain tracks toward the station."


2

To pack or store items, such as food or liquid, into a cylindrical container.

Example

"The workers spent the entire afternoon barreling the freshly harvested apples for transport."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for barrel

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'barel', borrowed from Old French 'baril', whose further origins are uncertain but potentially of Celtic or Vulgar Latin extraction.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Barrel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/barrel
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