a relatively long, evenly shaped piece of some solid substance, as metal or wood, used as a guard or obstruction or for some mechanical purpose.
the bars of a cage.
an oblong piece of any solid material.
a bar of soap;
a candy bar.
the amount of material in a bar.
an ingot, lump, or wedge of gold or silver.
a long ridge of sand, gravel, or other material near or slightly above the surface of the water at or near the mouth of a river or harbor entrance, often constituting an obstruction to navigation.
anything that obstructs, hinders, or impedes; obstacle; barrier.
a bar to important legislation.
a counter or place where beverages, especially liquors, or light meals are served to customers.
a snack bar;
a milk bar.
a barroom or tavern.
(in a home) a counter, small wagon, or similar piece of furniture for serving food or beverages.
a breakfast bar.
the legal profession.
the practicing members of the legal profession in a given community.
any tribunal.
the bar of public opinion.
a band or strip.
a bar of light.
a railing in a courtroom separating the general public from the part of the room occupied by the judges, jury, attorneys, etc.
a crowbar.
Music.
Also called bar line. the line marking the division between two measures of music.
the unit of music contained between two bar lines; measure.
Ballet. barre.
Law.
an objection that nullifies an action or claim.
a stoppage or defeat of an alleged right of action.
Typography. a horizontal stroke of a type character, as of an A, H, t, and sometimes e.
Architecture. (in tracery) a relatively long and slender upright of stone treated as a colonette or molded.
Building Trades.
an iron or steel shape.
I-bar.
a muntin.
Military. one of a pair of metal or cloth insignia worn by certain commissioned officers.
bars, the transverse ridges on the roof of the mouth of a horse.
a space between the molar and canine teeth of a horse into which the bit is fitted.
(in a bridle) the mouthpiece connecting the cheeks.
Heraldry. a horizontal band, narrower than a fess, that crosses the field of an escutcheon.
Obsolete. a gateway capable of being barred.
to equip or fasten with a bar or bars.
Bar the door before retiring for the night.
to block by or as if by bars.
The police barred the exits in an attempt to prevent the thief 's escape.
to prevent or hinder.
They barred her entrance to the club.
to exclude or except.
He was barred from membership because of his reputation.
to mark with bars, stripes, or bands.
behind bars, in jail.
We wanted the criminal behind bars.
at bar,
before the court and being tried.
a case at bar.
before all the judges of a court.
a trial at bar.
a centimeter-gram-second unit of pressure, equal to one million dynes per square centimeter.
(formerly) microbar. b
barometer.
barometric.
barrel.
barrister.
barometer
barometric
barrel (container or unit of measure)
barrister
a rigid usually straight length of metal, wood, etc, that is longer than it is wide or thick, used esp as a barrier or as a structural or mechanical part
a bar of a gate
a solid usually rectangular block of any material
a bar of soap
anything that obstructs or prevents
an offshore ridge of sand, mud, or shingle lying near the shore and parallel to it, across the mouth of a river, bay, or harbour, or linking an island to the mainland
an alluvial deposit in a stream, river, or lake
a counter or room where alcoholic drinks are served
a counter, room, or establishment where a particular range of goods, food, services, etc, are sold
a coffee bar
a heel bar
a narrow band or stripe, as of colour or light
a heating element in an electric fire
(in England) the area in a court of law separating the part reserved for the bench and Queen's Counsel from the area occupied by junior barristers, solicitors, and the general public See also Bar
the place in a court of law where the accused stands during his trial
the prisoner at the bar
a particular court of law
(in the House of Lords and House of Commons) the boundary where nonmembers wishing to address either House appear and where persons are arraigned
a plea showing that a plaintiff has no cause of action, as when the case has already been adjudicated upon or the time allowed for bringing the action has passed
anything referred to as an authority or tribunal
the bar of decency
Also called: measure. music
a group of beats that is repeated with a consistent rhythm throughout a piece or passage of music. The number of beats in the bar is indicated by the time signature
another word for bar line
insignia added to a decoration indicating a second award
a strip of metal worn with uniform, esp to signify rank or as an award for service
a variant spelling of barre
sport See crossbar
gymnastics See horizontal bar
part of the metal mouthpiece of a horse's bridle
the space between the horse's teeth in which such a part fits
either of two horny extensions that project forwards and inwards from the rear of the outer layer of a horse's hoof
See crowbar glazing-bar
lacemaking needlework another name for bride 2
heraldry an ordinary consisting of a horizontal line across a shield, typically narrower than a fesse, and usually appearing in twos or threes
maths a superscript line ⁻ placed over a letter symbol to indicate, for example, a mean value or the complex conjugate of a complex number
in prison
informal cannot tolerate; dislike
to fasten or secure with a bar
to bar the door
to shut in or out with or as if with barriers
to bar the entrances
to obstruct; hinder
the fallen tree barred the road
(usually foll by from) to prohibit; forbid
to bar a couple from meeting
(usually foll by from) to keep out; exclude
to bar a person from membership
to mark with a bar or bars
law to prevent or halt (an action) by showing that the claimant has no cause
to mark off (music) into bars with bar lines
except for
the best recital bar last night's
without exception
(in England and elsewhere) barristers collectively
the legal profession collectively
to become a barrister
to be appointed as a Queen's Counsel
A unit used to measure atmospheric pressure. It is equal to a force of 100,000 newtons per square meter of surface area, or 0.987 atmosphere.
An elongated, offshore ridge of sand, gravel, or other unconsolidated sediment, formed by the action of waves or long-shore currents and submerged at least during high tide. Bars are especially common near the mouths of rivers or estuaries.
A ridgelike mound of sand, gravel or silt formed within a stream, along its banks, or at its mouth. Bars form where the stream's current slows down, causing sediment to be deposited.
Bar, barrier, barricade mean something put in the way of advance. Bar has the general meaning of hindrance or obstruction: a bar across the doorway. Barrier suggests an impediment to progress or a defensive obstruction (natural or artificial): a trade barrier; a mountain barrier; a road barrier. A barricade is especially a pile of articles hastily gathered or a rude earthwork for protection in street fighting: a barricade of wooden boxes.
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English barre, barr, bar, from Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin barra “rod,” of obscure, perhaps pre-Latin, origin
First recorded in 1770–80; from Louisiana French bère, baire, apparently representing dialect pronunciation of French barre “barrier, rod”; see bar 1
First recorded in 1900–05; from Greek báros “weight”; cf. barometer, isobar
If you bar a college student from entering a bar because he's too young to drink, it means that you prevent him from going into an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages. Bar is one of those handy words with many different meanings. There's the kind of bar where you order coffee or a drink. There is also the bar that a bartender keeps close at hand in case she needs a weapon when patrons get rowdy — like a long piece of metal. And when you bar something, you make it inaccessible in some way. The word bar comes from the French word barre, which means "beam, gate, or barrier."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Issuing subpoenas to reporters, Subramanian said, carries a high legal bar.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
“Students clear the bar or they don’t,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Countries around the world restrict information about child offenders or set a high bar for identifying them.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Who needs umbrellas when you’ve got a tanning bed, a chin-up bar, beef-tallow stockpiles, and a gallon of only-sometimes-poisonous raw milk?
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
The kid in blue jeans had run into the snack bar for this section of Fun World.
From "Trouble at the Arcade (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #1)" by Franklin W. Dixon
Cargill asked the British company BAR Technologies to design a sail for cargo ships.
From NewsForKids.net ● Sep. 6, 2023
John Cooper, of BAR Technologies, is more bullish though, saying the future for wind wings is "very rosy."
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2023
“These components will have to pass a BAR inspection with a certified state inspector and these vehicles will either need to be confirmed or corrected so that they’re street legal.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2023
“This has happened in the past. I just happened to be there when it happened to Jenson Button, when he signed for Williams but BAR Honda rightfully took up their option on Jenson,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 27, 2022
To any maid, so she be fair: To any maid, so she be rich: To any maid, so she be young: And to any maid— BAR.
From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 9 by Various
A well-worn joke in Westminster goes like this: “A Blairite, a Brownite and a Corbynite walk into a bar. The barman asks: ‘What are you having, Andy?’
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
“Six years into this law journey, and I’m still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up — just more studying and even more determination.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2025
His son added: "You see the same four to five walls, the same faces, the same people on the door, behind the bar. It feels more like a family in that sense."
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2025
"The method we currently use to assess vision in dogs is a very low bar. In humans, it would be equivalent to saying yes or no if a person was blind," says Mowat.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 18, 2024
“First door on the left will get you to the club. You can wait at the bar. Whatever you want, it’s on the house,” he said.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
“First meeting the Primal Scream boys at the Milk Bar. Hot Soho streets and cold glasses of beer.”
From The Guardian ● Jul. 7, 2020
“The night was called Rattenbar: Rat Bar. And there he was,” Tillmans has said.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 3, 2018
“There he is, Bar. Terry. He’s the one,” Bush playfully told his wife.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 18, 2018
“There were always 15 to 20 people around in front of the Water Bar. You would have thought they were drinking vodka martinis or something,” said Steve Drew, director of Greensboro’s water system.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 20, 2016
“He has to sing to her. A whole song. In the middle of the Bean Bar. In his underwear.”
From "Goodbye Stranger" by Rebecca Stead
To check his memory, Bar- ton asked if there had been a telephone in the White House office.
From Time Magazine Archive
Bar- raged by questions about rising interest rates, living costs and labor demands, he replied: "You don't expect us to walk across the street and tell you fellows that things are bad, do you?"
From Time Magazine Archive
A special prize was given every year to Miss Katherine Bar- low for her fabulous spiced peaches.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Or will it be someone I would never suspect, Ser Bar- ristan or Grey Worm or Missandei?
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Actually, Stanley had been impressed when he first found out that his great-grandfather was robbed by Kissin' Kate Bar- low.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Bar Argentina's last group-stage game - when qualification was already secured - the 27-year-old has played every minute for his country, including 120 minutes against both Cape Verde and Switzerland, which went to extra time.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Downtown has seen a few bright spots on the venue map, with newly-opened Pacific Electric in Chinatown and a revamped Bar Franca in the Historic Core.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Offering Instagram-ready Harry Potter, He-Man and Milk Bar doughnuts is part of Krispy Kreme’s strategy as it seeks to rebound from a challenging 2025.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
While the World Cup has been a disappointment for some businesses, the Alley Bar was at capacity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
The two professors run their speed-dating nights at the back of the West End Bar on Broadway, across the street from the Columbia campus.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
At 17, Amankwaah is the youngest gymnast in Team England's squad and she is set to compete in the uneven bars, beam and floor beginning on Friday.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Winnie is well used to the spotlight - from performing in London bars to outdoor music festivals - but singing in an alien language brought a whole new world of challenges.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
On the sidelines of some are saunas and bars where players can mingle between matches.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Outside the stadium, bars, beaches and Metro stations became theaters of drama and triumph, culminating in hours-long revelry all throughout the city at after-parties and postgame celebrations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
After six weeks behind bars, Russo was finally released by the judge.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
The United States in April allowed Venezuela to pay for Maduro's and Flores's legal defense, something previously barred by US sanctions.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
He has also been barred from leaving Russia.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Travelers from Ebola-affected regions are barred from entering rebel-held areas or must isolate for three weeks, according to aid workers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
Sherrone Moore continued to lead the team, even after the athletic director grew suspicious of the relationship and barred him from traveling with his executive assistant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Maxim was safe in his dressing-room, and the way through was barred against him.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
The foul came with a one-game suspension, barring Balogun from playing against Belgium tonight at 8 Eastern.
From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026
Iranian officials said the 60-day talks would aim at lifting sanctions that have crippled Tehran’s economy by blocking purchases of its oil and barring most international banks from doing business with the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
Lebanese army units, meanwhile, deployed in parts of the south, barring motorists from reaching areas near Israeli troops.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
“I expect it to be a slow/steady decline at retail, barring any other unexpected events,” added Oil Price Information Service’s Brian Norris.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026
It cannot be seen as death; barring mutation, the descendants are simply the first cell, living all over again.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
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.
