language barrier
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of language barrier
First recorded in 1885–90
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.
He picked up some Spanish from Latino teammates in Japan that he uses to help bridge the language barrier.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
Richards believes the language barrier, which once sent her to Korea, will become less of an issue the more people embrace it.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2026
"Cultures are different, not to mention the language barrier," the mayor said, urging "mutual support and consideration".
From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026
Historically, some U.S. listeners have struggled to embrace K-pop because of the language barrier, or found the genre’s melodic digressions and stop-start rhythms jarring, as if three songs are crammed into one.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 27, 2025
Even though he couldn’t speak Portuguese, the former president’s gregarious nature broke through the language barrier.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
![]()
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.