barrage

[buh-rahzh, bar-ahzh, bahr-ij]

noun

1. Military.,  a heavy barrier of artillery fire to protect one's own advancing or retreating troops or to stop the advance of enemy troops.

2. an overwhelming quantity or explosion, as of words, blows, or criticisms.

   a barrage of questions.

   Synonyms: storm, burst, deluge, torrent, volley

3. Civil Engineering.,  an artificial obstruction in a watercourse to increase the depth of the water, facilitate irrigation, etc.

4. Mycology.,  an aversion response of sexually incompatible fungus cultures that are growing in proximity, revealed by a persistent growth gap between them.

verb (used with object)

barraged, barraging 

1. to subject to a barrage.

barrage

/ ˈbærɑːʒ /

noun

1. military the firing of artillery to saturate an area, either to protect against an attack or to support an advance

2. an overwhelming and continuous delivery of something, as words, questions, or punches

3. a usually gated construction, similar to a low dam, across a watercourse, esp one to increase the depth of water to assist navigation or irrigation

4. fencing a heat or series of bouts in a competition

verb

1. (tr) to attack or confront with a barrage

   the speaker was barraged with abuse

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrage¹

1855–60; < French: blocking, barring off, barrier, equivalent to barr ( er ) to bar ¹ + -age -age; artillery sense by ellipsis from French tir de barrage barrier fire

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrage¹

C19: from French, from barrer to obstruct; see _bar ¹

Example Sentences

In two days, Beijing has unleashed a barrage of actions that threaten to derail a fragile status quo with Washington over trade and other issues, with a particular focus on semiconductors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

KYIV, Ukraine—Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine on Friday, causing blackouts in the capital and killing at least one civilian.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The $140 million battery program, completed in August, is crucial for Ukraine, which has raced to modernize and decentralize its electricity grid in part to help it withstand Russian barrages.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The barrage of unilateral presidential actions has not yet let up.

Read more on Salon

The Hamas operation began around 6:29 a.m. and involved a rocket and drone barrage, paraglider commandos and teams of fighters fanning out on pickups and motorcycles from Gaza across southern Israel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assault 
• attack 
• blast 
• bombardment 
• burst 
• deluge 
• hail 
• onslaught 
• rain 
• shower 
• storm 
• stream 
• surge 
• torrent