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barrier
/ˈbær.i.ər/
obstacle or obstruction
The language barrier made communication difficult.
The difficulty in understanding each other's language acted as an obstacle.
general
An obstacle or obstruction that prevents movement or progress.
A fence acts as a barrier to keep animals from wandering off.
A fence is used to prevent animals from leaving the designated area.
The government imposed trade barriers to protect local industries.
The government created restrictions on imports to support domestic businesses.
Can be physical (e.g., wall, fence) or abstract (e.g., language, cultural).
formal
A physical or abstract obstacle that prevents or hinders movement, communication, or progress.
The mountain range served as a natural barrier between the two kingdoms.
The mountain range acted as a natural boundary separating the two kingdoms.
Often used in formal or technical contexts to describe both physical and conceptual obstacles.
Collocations
barrier to entryan obstacle that makes it difficult for new competitors to enter a marketbreak down barriersto remove obstacles or difficultieslanguage barrierdifficulty in communicating due to different languages
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Physical vs. Abstract
Barrier can refer to both physical objects (e.g., walls) and abstract concepts (e.g., language differences).
Common Contexts
Often used in business (trade barriers), social (cultural barriers), and technical (firewall as a barrier) contexts.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'barrier' depends heavily on the context. Ensure you understand whether it's physical or abstract.
Word Origin
From Middle English *barriere*, from Old French *barrière*, from *barre* (bar).
Usage Notes
Can refer to both physical and abstract obstacles. Often used in contexts like trade, communication, or social interactions.
Word Breakdown
bar
a barrier or obstruction
root-ier
suffix indicating a place or thing
suffixEnglish Dictionary