barrack

¹

[bar-uhk]

noun

1. a building or group of buildings for lodging soldiers, especially in garrison.

2. any large, plain building in which many people are lodged.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to lodge in barracks.

barrack

²

[bar-uhk]

verb (used without object)

1. to shout boisterously for or against a player or team; root or jeer.

verb (used with object)

1. to shout for or against.

barrack

¹

/ ˈbærək /

verb

1. to criticize loudly or shout against (a player, team, speaker, etc); jeer

2. to shout support (for)

barrack

²

/ ˈbærək /

verb

1. to house (people, esp soldiers) in barracks

Other Word Forms

• barracker noun
• barracking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrack¹

1680–90; < French baraque, Middle French < Catalan barraca hut, of obscure origin

Origin of barrack²

1885–90; originally Australian English, perhaps < N Ireland dialect barrack to brag

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrack¹

C19: from northern Irish: to boast

Example Sentences

Madame Babushkinov was furious to discover that their “hotel” was really a barracks, a single large hall with cots all in a row, and a washing-up room they would have to share.

Read more on Literature

"From my point of view, shovelling people into former barracks is not the best use of money and for those seeking asylum," said Mr Smith.

Read more on BBC

Beyond the abandoned barracks and drydocks, the site is now mostly an empty expanse of grass and reeds, with an unobstructed view of the bay.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We grew up in the rebel barracks, deep in the forest," he said.

Read more on BBC

In the shade of the barracks, the solders were cleaning their Kalashnikovs.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• camp 
• garrison 
• hut