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Definition of barrelhead

barrelhead

/ˈbær.əlˌhɛd/
bar · rel · head
Plural:barrelheads
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barrelhead Lexical Profile

barrelhead Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The flat circular top or bottom end of a barrel, especially when an upright barrel is used as a makeshift table or counter for conducting transactions.

Example

"The landlord refused to accept a personal check and demanded cash on the barrelhead before handing over the keys."

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern usage, 'barrelhead' appears almost exclusively in the informal idiom 'cash on the barrelhead,' meaning immediate payment on the spot, originating from the historical practice of using upright barrels as makeshift tables or counters in frontier saloons and stores.

• Nearby Words

barrel cactus
barreleye
barrelful
barrelhead
barren
barrenly
barrenness

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Barrelhead. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/barrelhead
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