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Synonyms

barbed wire

American  

noun

  1. a wire or strand of wires having small pieces of sharply pointed wire twisted around it at short intervals, used chiefly for fencing in livestock, keeping out trespassers, etc.


barbed wire British  

noun

  1. Also called (US): barbwire.  strong wire with sharply pointed barbs at close intervals

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of barbed wire

First recorded in 1860–65

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Barbed wire is seen laid on a deserted road during restrictions in Srinagar, August 5, 2019.

From Reuters • Nov. 23, 2021

Barbed wire, door panels, steel sheets, chairs and tables are among materials being used to fence up alleys and isolate neighborhoods.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 21, 2021

Barbed wire, which was invented in the 19th century, was long used to fence off cattle ranges in the American West.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2018

Barbed wire fences and belching smokestacks surrounded the cemetery.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2014

Barbed wire had been developed by American ranchers to keep cattle from breaking through fences.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

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