1
a
: 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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
But it’s been a long wait, and the construction fences and barriers are finally down, so eager neighbors, Metrorail riders and people on all sorts of non-motorized conveyances have begun exploring the new stretch of trail even as crews apply some final touches.
—
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Any correction or offer of help threatened the seamless barrier of narrative that his mind had erected around his increasingly fragmented self.
—Chloé Cooper Jones Emily Woo Zeller Krish Seenivasan Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier 
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Any correction or offer of help threatened the seamless barrier of narrative that his mind had erected around his increasingly fragmented self.
—Chloé Cooper Jones Emily Woo Zeller Krish Seenivasan Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barrier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near barrier
Cite this Entry
“Barrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
barrier
noun
bar·ri·er
ˈbar-ē-ər 
1
: something (as a fence, railing, or natural obstacle) that blocks the way
2
: something not material that keeps apart or makes progress difficult
language barriers
Medical Definition
barrier
noun
bar·ri·er
ˈbar-ē-ər
1
a
: 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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