- barrier
- [[t]bæ̱riə(r)[/t]]
♦♦♦barriers1) N-COUNT: oft N to/against/between n A barrier is something such as a rule, law, or policy that makes it difficult or impossible for something to happen or be achieved.
Duties and taxes are the most obvious barrier to free trade.
Syn:2) N-COUNT: oft supp N, N between pl-n A barrier is a problem that prevents two people or groups from agreeing, communicating, or working with each other.There is no reason why love shouldn't cross the age barrier...
She had been waiting for Simon to break down the barrier between them...
When you get involved in sports and athletes, a lot of the racial barriers are broken down.
Syn:3) N-COUNT A barrier is something such as a fence or wall that is put in place to prevent people from moving easily from one area to another.The demonstrators broke through heavy police barriers...
As each woman reached the barrier one of the men glanced at her papers.
Syn:4) N-COUNT: usu with supp A barrier is an object or layer that physically prevents something from moving from one place to another....a severe storm, which destroyed a natural barrier between the house and the lake...
The packaging must provide an effective barrier to prevent contamination of the product.
Syn:5) N-SING: the N, with supp You can refer to a particular number or amount as a barrier when you think it is significant, because it is difficult or unusual to go above it.They are fearful that unemployment will soon break the barrier of three million...
The Popular Front failed, as expected, to pass the 5 per cent barrier.
6) → See also , sound barrier
English dictionary. 2008.
