barracks

/ ˈbærəks /

plural noun

1. a building or group of buildings used to accommodate military personnel

2. any large building used for housing people, esp temporarily

3. a large and bleak building

Word History and Origins

Origin of barracks¹

C17: from French baraque , from Old Catalan barraca hut, of uncertain origin

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.

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"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.

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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.

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

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

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