horizontal bar
Americannoun
-
a bar fixed in a position parallel to the floor or ground, for use in chinning and other exercises.
-
an event in gymnastic competitions, judged on strength and grace while performing specific movements on such a bar.
noun
Etymology
Origin of horizontal bar
First recorded in 1820–30
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.
Dan used a horizontal bar lined with LED lights that kept my eyes dancing and darting as he prompted me to recall a distressing childhood memory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
What makes UCLA’s otherwise cookie-cutter postseason look stand out is on the back: “We” printed over a horizontal bar and “me.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 22, 2025
The agent had to grab a horizontal bar as well, doing so with his left hand across his body.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 1, 2022
He stuck a superb horizontal bar routine on England's final rotation, top-scoring with 14.500.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2022
The Maya used a dot to signify one and a horizontal bar to signify five; the number nineteen would thus be three bars and four dots.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
![]()
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.