barrier

Everyday

1. A barrier is a fence, gate, wall or bar that stops people or things from going somewhere. tree →
2. A barrier can also be anything that makes something hard to do, like a language barrier. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons, barriers at railway crossings, building sites, cliff edges, pools and roadworks are there to keep you safe; never climb over or go under them. A barrier going down at a level crossing means a train is coming. In science, a barrier stops things passing, like a sunscreen being a barrier to UV, or a coral reef (the Great Barrier Reef) protecting the coast. In inclusion lessons, removing barriers helps everyone join in. Phrases: safety barrier, crash barrier, language barrier, break down barriers, sound barrier.

Examples

• Never climb over the safety barrier at the cliff. tree →
• The barrier came down because a train was coming. tree →
• Police put up barriers to keep the crowd back. tree →
• Not speaking English was a barrier for the new boy at first. tree →
• The Great Barrier Reef is off the coast of Australia. tree →
• A fence is a barrier around the swimming pool. tree →
• Ramps remove barriers for wheelchair users. tree →
• Skin is a barrier that keeps germs out. tree →
• Furiously did the enraged gnome fling two great clouds together, and hurl a thunderbolt after the flying maiden, splintering the rocky barriers which had stood a thousand years. tree →

Note

Countable: a barrier, barriers. Spelled with double r: bar-ri-er. A barrier is there for a reason; going around it puts you and others in danger.

In Jewish tradition

Here it describes a guard post: a group of soldiers who block the way so no one can enter the Temple.

Interpretation. The guards protect the young king Joash at the Temple. The tradition sees a loyal priest, Jehoiada, keeping God's house and the royal line safe.

Examples

• now another third part was at the gate Sur, and another third part at the gate behind the guard — shall keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier. (Prophets 2KI.11.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a barrier, barriers. Spelled with double r: bar-ri-er. A barrier is there for a reason; going around it puts you and others in danger.