barbell

American

[bahr-bel] / ˈbɑrˌbɛl /

noun

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

barbell British

/ ˈbɑːˌbɛl /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of barbell

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

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.

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

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

Over the past three days, she has posted a video of herself doing squats while lifting a barbell and found time to respond to her doubters on social media.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

Renna said that he and Muggia were following “a barbell strategy,” with mature companies in the pharmaceutical, life-science tools, medical-technology and biotech spaces on one side.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 11, 2025

“We have elderly people at the Y. We’re really a mixed group. But he’s in a barbell class. It’s a strenuous workout. … He’s a standout guy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2025

“It’s just—” He shakes his head, then shoves the barbell into the air and begins his reps.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023