barber

1 of 2

noun

bar·​ber ˈbär-bər How to pronounce barber (audio)
: one whose business is cutting and dressing hair, shaving and trimming beards, and performing related services

barber

2 of 2

verb

barbered; barbering ˈbär-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce barber (audio)

transitive verb

: to perform the services of a barber for : trim or groom the hair or beard of

intransitive verb

: to perform the services of a barber

Examples of barber in a Sentence

Noun He goes to a barber downtown. went to the barber to get his hair cut and his beard trimmed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In the days leading up to Election Day, activists from national and local civic engagement groups stopped by barber shops, attended church services and visited college campuses across the state encouraging Georgians to vote. Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 In 2022, the two opened a barber shop in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Sports From sport sunglasses that make room for lashes to free braids and barbering in the Olympic Village, there are endless ways to show off your personal style. Christa Sgobba, SELF, 30 July 2024 Summer in the City, a revamp of the city’s Safe Summer program addressing juvenile crime, will now allow younger youth into its doors for a 5-day program, complete with classes ranging from cooking to barbering. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 25 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for barber 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French barbour, from barbe beard — more at barb

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of barber was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near barber

Cite this Entry

“Barber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barber. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

barber

noun
bar·​ber
ˈbär-bər
: a person whose business is cutting and dressing hair and shaving beards
barber verb
Etymology

Noun

Middle English barber "barber," from early French barbour (same meaning), derived from Latin barba "beard" — related to barb

Biographical Definition

Barber

biographical name

Bar·​ber ˈbär-bər How to pronounce Barber (audio)
Samuel 1910–1981 American composer

More from Merriam-Webster on barber

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!