bar
noun
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.
bar
1 American
[bahr]
/ bɑr /
noun
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- cocktail lounge, saloon
-
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.
verb (used with object)
-
bars,
present (3rd person singular)
-
barred,
past participle, past
-
barring
present participle
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- drop
-
to mark with bars, stripes, or bands.
preposition
idioms
-
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.
-
bar
2
American
[bahr]
/ bɑr /
noun
bar
3
American
[bahr]
/ bɑr /
noun
Physics.
-
a centimeter-gram-second unit of pressure, equal to one million dynes per square centimeter.
-
(formerly) microbar. b
BAR
4
American
abbreviation
bar.
5
American
abbreviation
-
barometer.
-
barometric.
-
barrel.
-
barrister.
Bar.
6
American
abbreviation
Bible.
B.Ar.
7
American
abbreviation
Bar-
1
British
/ bɑː, bar /
prefix
BAR
2
British
abbreviation
bar
3
British
/ bɑː /
noun
-
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
verb
-
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
preposition
-
except for
the best recital bar last night's
-
without exception
bar
4
British
/ bɑː /
noun
bar.
5
British
abbreviation
-
barometer
-
barometric
-
barrel (container or unit of measure)
-
barrister
Bar
6
British
/ bɑː /
noun
-
(in England and elsewhere) barristers collectively
-
the legal profession collectively
-
to become a barrister
-
to be appointed as a Queen's Counsel
bar
7
British
/ bɑː /
noun
interjection
bar
Scientific
/ bär /
-
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
More Idioms
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
barsimple
-
barssimple
-
have barredperfect
-
has barredperfect
-
am barringprogressive
-
are barringprogressive
-
is barringprogressive
-
have been barringperfect progressive
-
has been barringperfect progressive
Past
-
barredsimple
-
had barredperfect
-
was barringprogressive
-
were barringprogressive
-
had been barringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of bar1
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
Origin of bar2
First recorded in 1770–80; from Louisiana French bère, baire, apparently representing dialect pronunciation of French barre “barrier, rod”; see bar 1
Origin of bar3
First recorded in 1900–05; from Greek báros “weight”; cf. barometer, isobar
Explanation
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."
Vocabulary lists containing bar
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 1
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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.
See Examples For:
There are some beauty shots of the city, and then a shot of a Checker cab pulling up to Butch McGuire’s bar on Division Street.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
Far from a traditional agricultural structure, the barn has been transformed into an entertainment and creative hub, complete with a grand bar, video wall, fireplaces, a game room, gym, and catering kitchen.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026
A city staff report shows that the Victorian would transition from “its current use as a restaurant, bar, and nightlife venue into a family-based recreation, events, and wellness destination.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Anthropic on Thursday moved to bar users from treating its Claude AI system with needless cruelty, amid a growing philosophical debate over whether artificial intelligence can be conscious.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
He invented white cherry white chocolate, nectarine swirl, and Heath bar brownie.
From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins
Two other candidates - Formula Eagle, led by former BAR team boss Craig Pollock, and Pantera Team Asia - were ruled out at an earlier stage.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2023
Cargill asked the British company BAR Technologies to design a sail for cargo ships.
From NewsForKids.net ● Sep. 6, 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
“The story in 2026 has not been a low bar. Expectations have moved higher, and companies have continued to clear them by a wide margin,” Rubner says.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
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
"The CCA was central, accessible, affordable and it had a bar. Very few venues in Glasgow offer that," he says.
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2026
"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
“Ahhhthe Justice said softly and looked slowly around the room, once again ending with an inspection of the man behind the bar. “
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
“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
The paper reads ‘Iaco. Bar. Vigennis. P. 1495’.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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
To check his memory, Bar- ton asked if there had been a telephone in the White House office.
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
In April, the Misfit Bar & Restaurant shuttered after 15 years after its operator chose not to renew its lease, citing conditions in downtown Santa Monica and changes in the building’s ownership.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Rebuilding Be’eri, Ms. Bar Sinai says, shows that “we aren’t going anywhere. My family is invested so much in this Zionist project, maybe for five generations.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
Charlie Zhang, 30, a charity fundraiser who was canvassing for donations near Bar Roma, said he was trying to bounce back after getting into credit-card debt and declaring bankruptcy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Andrew Thomas KC - chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, which represents barristers who work in crown and magistrates courts - said the profession was "delighted".
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
After being dropped off at the Bar Harbor green, Molly walks over to the library, a brick structure on Mount Desert Street.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
At the trial—held ahead of the first official games, which will take place in New York in November—competitors chatted excitedly while snacking on bananas and protein bars.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
On Sundays, Tony and I had our choice of four bars showing football.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
U.S. law bars foreign armed forces from recruiting on American soil, but the statute is rarely enforced.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Debra Tate, Sharon Tate’s sister, has been an outspoken advocate for keeping Krenwinkel and other former followers of Manson behind bars.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
The imp pushed itself up against the bars.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
The New York Times reported Tuesday that two of the fraternity brothers were expelled, two more were suspended, and one who had already graduated was barred from campus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Beyond addressing conditions at the facility, she barred the government from placing detainees in administrative segregation unless needed for security threats or requested by a detainee.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Since late September, pupils have barred the entrances to their schools, complaining of teacher absences, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings ill-adapted to rising temperatures, among other grievances.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
EBay in January barred agents, including those designed to shop, from accessing or taking action on its platform without express permission.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
They are barred by law from doing so.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
It’s almost hard to fathom how any other individual could surpass his wealth, barring some company-specific problem.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
She’s Alive fired Seaver and his security firm last week, barring him and his employees from entering any of Parton’s properties, according to court papers filed by the company.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Nearly everyone standing behind the podium, barring a city council member or two, held a similar picture.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
A Moscow court ordered her placed under judicial supervision, barring her from leaving home from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am, using the internet or speaking with witnesses in the case, said her lawyer, Mikhail Biryukov.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
“May I, Father?” he asked, and without waiting for permission, he placed the wood in its braces, barring the door behind them.
From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz
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.
