barrier
barrier Lexical Profile
barrier Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A fence, wall, railing, or other physical structure that prevents movement, access, or passage from one place to another.
"The city installed concrete barriers along the edge of the highway to protect pedestrians."
A non-physical circumstance, rule, or condition that impedes progress, communication, or cooperation between people.
"Lack of affordable childcare remains a major barrier to employment for many parents."
A natural geographical formation, such as a mountain range, desert, coral reef, or expanse of ice, that separates regions or restricts the dispersal of organisms.
"The towering mountain range acted as a natural barrier that kept the coastal climate warm and humid."
• verb
To shut off, enclose, or block an area with a physical barrier (often used with 'off' or 'in').
"Maintenance crews barriered off the damaged section of the walkway until repairs could be completed."
• Rhymes for barrier
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Anglo-French 'barrere' and Old French 'barriere' (meaning an obstacle or palisade), derived from 'barre' (bar or rod), ultimately of Vulgar Latin or Gaulish origin.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.