barbed wire

noun

1. a wire or strand of wires having small pieces of sharply pointed wire twisted around it at short intervals, used chiefly for fencing in livestock, keeping out trespassers, etc.

barbed wire

noun

1. Also called (US): barbwire. strong wire with sharply pointed barbs at close intervals

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbed wire¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

He said they had left behind "barbed wire, barred windows and constant fear".

From BBC

We emerge into a clearing where a 12ft high border fence appears, topped with barbed wire, equipped with sensors and cameras to detect illegal crossings.

From BBC

Mr Tardy captured a brown‑throated three‑toed sloth clinging to a barbed wire post after crossing a road.

From BBC

On the drive out that afternoon, between fields of corn and sunflowers, miles of newly uncoiled barbed wire glint in the sunlight.

From BBC

Reports from the region speak of trenches, bunkers, minefields, anti-tank obstacles and barbed wire.

From BBC

Related Words

• fence 
• fencing