barrister
Americannoun
-
(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.
-
Informal. any lawyer.
noun
Other Word Forms
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Akata Witch
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Water for Elephants
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The show demonstrated "a lack of curiosity, a lack of the ability to ask important questions and the failure to implement basic safeguarding measures," Lizzie's barrister Charlotte Proudman has told Panorama.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
The barrister denied ignoring the judge, saying that he was performing his duty to fairly and fully represent his client, Charlotte Head.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
During February's first trial, Rajiv Menon KC, the leading defence barrister in the case, clashed with the trial judge amid allegations that he misled the jury.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
When asked by his barrister Simon Spence KC if he had intended to kill himself or his passengers, he had responded: "No, never, of course not."
From BBC • May 12, 2026
Duma Nokwe, the young and good-natured barrister who was then national secretary of the Youth League, was among them.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
