language barrier
Americannoun
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.
"Cultures are different, not to mention the language barrier," the mayor said, urging "mutual support and consideration".
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
"There were delays, confusion and a language barrier at every turn," she added.
From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026
Each character seems to understand the others dimly, as through a language barrier; each vibrates at their own frequency.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 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
In my experience, the schools never called my parents to discuss me, probably because of the language barrier.
From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana
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.
