Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

barracoon

American  
[bar-uh-koon] / ˌbær əˈkun /

noun

  1. (formerly) a place of temporary confinement for slaves or convicts.


barracoon British  
/ ˌbærəˈkuːn /

noun

  1. (formerly) a temporary place of confinement for slaves or convicts, esp those awaiting transportation

"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 barracoon

1850–55, < Spanish barracón, equivalent to barrac ( a ) hut ( see barrack 1) + -on augmentative suffix

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.

See Examples For:

These newcomers patrol the coast like abolitionist avengers, superpowering their way through every coffle and barracoon they encounter.

From New York Times Jan. 7, 2019

“De barracoon we in ain’ the only slave pen at the place,” he remembers.

From Slate Jun. 7, 2018

Presently appeared a kind of barracoon, a large square of thick cane-work and thatch about eight feet high, the Fetish house of the "Jinkimba" or circumcised boys, who received us with unearthly yells.

From Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo Volume 2 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

He observed only that the mine had taken effect under one end of the barracoon.

From The Three Midshipmen by Prout, Victor

During our halt for breakfast at the barracoon, we were visited by Petit Denis, a son of the old king.

From Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo Volume 1 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training