Textiles. a pattern of stripes or bands of color extending across the warp in woven and knitted fabrics.
Textiles. a streak in the filling direction when one or more picks are of a color different from that of adjacent picks.
Music. a technique of playing a chord on a stringed instrument by laying a finger across the strings at a particular fret, raising their pitch.
the act of laying the index finger over some or all of the strings of a guitar, lute, or similar instrument, so that the pitch of each stopped string is simultaneously raised Compare capo 1
the playing of chords in this manner
First recorded in 1945–50
< French: literally, barred, past participle of barrer, derivative of barre bar 1
The rail that a ballet dancer holds while warming up is called a barre. Ballet teachers also refer to these pre-dance exercises themselves as barre, or barre work. In French, the word barre means "bar," and that's just what it is: a sturdy, horizontal rail made of smooth wood and metal. Dancers place one hand on the barre to practice perfectly synchronized pliés, and they hold the barre with two hands to do deep backbends. Barre classes teach ballet and yoga techniques using the stability of a barre for holding poses and stretches.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
One is familiar and increasingly specific: a good leotard, fleece-lined tights, an extra water bottle, Band-Aids for blisters, putty-colored flats for barre, a pair of low, strappy heels for salsa.
From Salon • Jan. 1, 2026
I go to barre classes and pop into online strength classes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 11, 2025
Sheena Gough is 89 years old but she can easily lift her leg on to a ballet barre to demonstrate elegant dance moves to her class.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2025
On a Tuesday in September, Mary Ruble walked up to the barre of the Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica for a 7:45 a.m. ballet class, joining about 30 women of all different ages.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2024
Nancy expected to see all the students stretching at the barre and on the floor.
From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
