barrister

American  

[bar-uh-ster] / ˈbær ə stər /

noun

Law.

1. (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.

2. Informal. any lawyer.

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barrister British  

/ ˈbærɪstə /

noun

1. Also called: barrister-at-law.  (in England) a lawyer who has been called to the bar and is qualified to plead in the higher courts Compare solicitor See also advocate counsel

2. (in Canada) a lawyer who pleads in court

3. a less common word for lawyer

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Other Word Forms

• barristerial adjective

Etymology

Origin of barrister

1535–45; derivative of bar ¹, perhaps after obsolete legister lawyer or minister

Example Sentences

Under cross-examination from Adams' barrister he said that Tuesday was the first time in his life he had ever been in the same room as the former Sinn Féin leader.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

David Sherborne, barrister for the claimants, suggested Griffiths had "invented" the story about Princess Catherine's pregnancy, and it was an example of her "making up" connections with the Royal Family.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

The barrister said: "Mr Barton has now accepted that his campaign against Ms Aluko amounted to harassment and that he should not have made the publications."

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

"At no stage, did you go to the police and say that you got that wrong," said the barrister.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Dear Mrs. O’Brien, Inasmuch as you have not succumbed to the imminence of litigation in our previous epistle be advised that we are in consultation with our barrister above in Dublin.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt