barrister
Americannoun
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(in England) a lawyer who is a member of one of the Inns of Court and who has the privilege of pleading in the higher courts.
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Informal. any lawyer.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of barrister
1535–45; derivative of bar 1, perhaps after obsolete legister lawyer or minister
Explanation
The Brits and Canadians prefer to say barrister instead of "lawyer," but they mean the same thing. A barrister is a person who goes to court on behalf of the defense or the prosecution. The image of the barrister — a lawyer who pleads cases in the higher, or what is called "superior," courts of Britain — is of a white-wigged gentleman wearing a long black gown over a dark suit. Now, everyone who is a barrister wears white wigs. Barristers are so named because they were literally "called to the bar," which means that they are able to practice law. Barristers are not the same as solicitors, who advise clients but only appear in Britain's lower courts.
Vocabulary lists containing barrister
A Doll's House
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Akata Witch
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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.
Barrister Holly Girven, who is also a wheelchair user, has praised court staff for being "absolutely excellent," but says she too has faced several access challenges.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
Barrister Harry Laidlaw, prosecuting, told the judge that Lancashire had been arrested in September.
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026
Barrister Daniel Oscroft said it was obvious to anyone that she was a very young and vulnerable child.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
Barrister Daniel Higgins said the crossing light had been "set red" for pedestrians.
From BBC • Oct. 19, 2025
With them the Advertising Barrister has no point in common, save the robes he wears in virtue of his call.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 98, 19 April 1890 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
