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
Burgum, himself a billionaire, has also been a vocal critic of the policies of President Joe Biden to raise barriers around the extraction industry.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Seven out of 10 respondents in the study reported barriers to full access to sports.
—Allison Torres Burtka, Parents, 5 Nov. 2024
Promoting opportunity, individual self-empowerment, and access to the marketplace hasn’t addressed the structural inequalities that have historically generated barriers to African-American economic security.
—Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
The Secret Service is also planning to install physical barriers around former President Trump’s election night event in West Palm Beach.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier 
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Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Seven out of 10 respondents in the study reported barriers to full access to sports.
—Allison Torres Burtka, Parents, 5 Nov. 2024
Promoting opportunity, individual self-empowerment, and access to the marketplace hasn’t addressed the structural inequalities that have historically generated barriers to African-American economic security.
—Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
The Secret Service is also planning to install physical barriers around former President Trump’s election night event in West Palm Beach.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for barrier
Dictionary Entries Near barrier
Cite this Entry
“Barrier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrier. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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