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.

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barbell British  

/ ˈbɑːˌbɛl /

noun

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

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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

Its design shows the prison’s floor plan, while one panel depicts a man lifting a barbell labeled “Time” and another reads, “I didn’t do it, Guv!! Honest!”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

According to Subramanian, U.S. asset owners have largely replaced active equity funds with a barbell of the S&P 500 — owned largely through index funds — and private equity.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 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

"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

Brandon Blackwell sits in his apartment in the Jamaica section of Queens, training with a collection of 30,000 homemade flash cards the way weight lifters train with barbells.

From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2024

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

If you want to do bench presses, dead lifts and curls but don’t have space or the budget for barbells, consider using exercise bands, like the ones physical therapists often use.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 2, 2024

Tariq liked to wear pleated trousers, black shiny loafers, and short-sleeve shirts that showed off his newly muscular arms— compliments of an old, rusty set of barbells that he lifted daily in his yard.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini