barrier
noun
bar·ri·er
| \ ˈber-ē-ər
, ˈba-rē-\
, ˈba-rē-\
Definition of barrier
1a
: something material that blocks or is intended to block passage
highway barriers a barrier contraceptive
b
: a natural formation or structure that prevents or hinders movement or action
geographic barriers to species dissemination barrier beaches drugs that cross the placental barrier
2
barriers
or Barriers plural
: a medieval war game in which combatants fight on foot with a fence or railing between them
3
: something immaterial that impedes or separates : obstacle
behavioral barriers trade barriers
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Examples of barrier in a Sentence
Concrete barriers surround the race track to protect spectators.
The tree's roots serve as a barrier against soil erosion.
The mountain range forms a natural barrier between the two countries.
Both leaders are in favor of removing trade barriers.
Cultural barriers have made it hard for women to enter many professions.
He argues that regulations should not be viewed as barriers to progress.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond that, the administration could raise further barriers to Chinese investment in the U.S. or target China’s energy supply by revoking waivers that allow Beijing to continue purchasing oil from Iran and Venezuela. — Joshua Gallu, Fortune, "Trump Poised to Escalate China Trade War Even Further Within Hours," 23 Aug. 2019 Those leaving prison face daunting obstacles, from barriers to employment to stigma and isolation. — The Economist, "In America, art is helping prisoners adapt to life outside," 22 Aug. 2019 Other barriers to employment include a lack of education and, for many people, inexperience in navigating the working world. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, "Hope in Englewood’s streets: Hundreds line up looking for work at ‘Jobs on the Block’ career fair," 22 Aug. 2019 Both advocates and state officials are trying to identify and address barriers to participation early on. — Juliana Kim, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland’s new dental insurance program for low-income residents pays to remove teeth — but not replace them," 22 Aug. 2019 The New Deal, which created pathways to the middle class for white workers, cemented these early race and gender inequities and erected new barriers for black Americans. — Andrea Flynn, Time, "It Takes Black Women in the U.S. 20 Months to Earn What White Men Make in a Year. Here's the History Behind That Wage Gap," 22 Aug. 2019 For the course itself, the Netflix crew took over a chunk of an old Kodak plant in Rochester, New York, laying down a lot of fresh asphalt and setting up many plastic and concrete highway barriers. — Alex Davies, WIRED, "Netflix's Hyperdrive Is American Ninja Warrior for Cars," 21 Aug. 2019 Per Avishay Artsy of a KCRW local radio show, the crossing will strive to resemble an extension of the surrounding mountainside, boasting extensive plant cover, as well as sound- and light-blocking barriers. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "California Will Build the Largest Wildlife Crossing in the World," 21 Aug. 2019 In addition to Sasabe, large groups frequently crossed past vehicle barriers at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument west of Lukeville. — Rafael Carranza, azcentral, "Large groups of migrants stop crossing at the Arizona-Mexico border," 19 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'barrier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for barrier
barrier
noun
English Language Learners Definition of barrier
: something (such as a fence or natural obstacle) that prevents or blocks movement from one place to another
: a law, rule, problem, etc., that makes something difficult or impossible
: something that makes it difficult for people to understand each other
See the full definition for barrier in the English Language Learners Dictionary
barrier
noun
bar·ri·er
| \ ˈber-ē-ər
\
\
Kids Definition of barrier
1
: something (as a fence) that blocks the way
2
: something that keeps apart or makes progress difficult
a language barrier
barrier
noun
bar·ri·er
| \ ˈbar-ē-ər
\
\
Medical Definition of barrier
1a
: a material object or set of objects that separates, demarcates, or serves as a barricade — see blood-brain barrier, placental barrier
b
: a contraceptive device (such as a condom or cervical cap) that prevents sperm from entering the uterus
—often used before another noun barrier contraception
2
: a factor that tends to restrict the free movement, mingling, or interbreeding of individuals or populations
behavioral and geographic barriers to hybridization
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