barbell

American  

[bahr-bel] / ˈbɑrˌbɛl /

noun

• barbells
  plural

1. an apparatus used in weight-lifting, consisting of a bar with replaceable, disk-shaped weights fastened to the ends.

---

barbell British  

/ ˈbɑːˌbɛl /

noun

1. a metal rod to which heavy discs are attached at each end for weightlifting exercises

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• barbells
  plural

Etymology

Origin of barbell

First recorded in 1885–90; bar ¹ + bell ¹

Explanation

The long pole with weights on each end that a weightlifter or bodybuilder lifts at a gym is called a barbell. If you're new to lifting weights, your barbell may only hold a few pounds. Olympic weight lifters or power lifters may heft barbells with very long bars and extremely heavy weights, while general fitness seekers lift shorter, lighter barbells. Before the word barbell first emerged in the 19th century, there was the word dumbbell, "weighted bar used for exercise," from which the bell ending was borrowed for barbell.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

barbell barbells

You don’t need a gym membership or a heavy barbell, either.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026

As for what to buy, the strategists are sticking to a barbell of heavy bets on quality growth companies, which they say will remain “rich and crowded.”

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 21, 2026

“People are looking for some of that barbell optionality in LatAm financials and commodities,” he says.

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

In part, I needed a trainer to keep me from dropping a barbell on myself; plus I had no clue how to safely do a squat, let alone design an effective workout.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025

His arms felt rubbery, like he’d been holding a barbell straight out in front of him.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

"Training all major muscle groups at least twice a week matters far more than chasing the idea of a 'perfect' or complex training plan. Whether it's barbells, bands, or bodyweight, consistency and effort drive results."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 19, 2026

The men's facility featured rows of workout platforms, outfitted with dumbbells, barbells and weights capable of going into the hundreds of pounds.

From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2024

I loved talking to my gym buddies about how amazing it was to have a full array of dumbbells, kettlebells and barbells again.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 10, 2022

She pulled the bar to her clavicle, then staggered for a moment as she thrust the barbells into the sky.

From New York Times ● Jul. 26, 2021

There are two sets of barbells, a burlap sack of sand, a jump rope with red wooden handles, and a pear-shaped leather punching bag nailed to the closet ceiling.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García