Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   bar

   /bɑː/

   noun

   • 1. a long rigid piece of wood, metal, or similar material, typically used as an obstruction, fastening, or weapon: "an iron bar" Similar rodpolestakestickbattenshaftshankrailpalepalingsparstrutsupportpropspokecrosspiecegirderbeamboom
   • ▪ an amount of food or another substance formed into a narrow block: "a bar of chocolate" Similar blockslabcaketabletbrickloafwedgelumpchunkhunkcubeingotnuggetpiece
   • ▪ a band of colour or light: "bars of sunlight shafting through the windows"
   • ▪ the heating element of an electric fire. British
   • ▪ the crossbar of a goal: "Clark's shot hit the bar"
   • ▪ a metal strip below the clasp of a medal, awarded as an additional distinction: British "he was awarded a second bar to his DSO"
   • ▪ a sandbank or shoal at the mouth of a harbour or an estuary: "the bar to the estuary of the River Eske" Similar sandbankshoalbankshallowreefridgeledgeshelf
   • ▪ a charge in the form of a narrow horizontal stripe across the shield.
   • 2. a counter in a pub, restaurant, or cafe across which drinks or refreshments are served: "standing at the bar" Similar countertablebuffetstand
   • ▪ a room in a pub, restaurant, or hotel in which alcohol is served: "the oak-panelled bar of the Lion"
   • ▪ an establishment where alcohol and sometimes other refreshments are served: "a small friendly bar open all day" Similar hostelrytaverninnwine barcocktail bartaproompubpublic housefree housetied househowffbeer parlourhotelcantinabierkellerinformal:watering holelocalboozergin millhistorical:alehousepot-housetaphousebeerhousesaloon
   • ▪ a small shop, stall, or area in a department store that serves refreshments or provides a specified service: "a sandwich bar"
   • 3. a barrier or restriction to an action or advance: "political differences are not necessarily a bar to a good relationship" Similar obstacleimpedimenthindranceobstructioncheckstopblockhurdlebarrierstumbling blockhandicaprestrictionlimitationOpposite aid
   • ▪ a plea suspending an action or claim in a lawsuit.
   • 4. any of the short sections or measures, typically of equal time value, into which a piece of music is divided, shown on a score by vertical lines across the stave: "the opening bars of the first hymn"
   • ▪ a line or set of lyrics in a rap or hip-hop song: informal "he is undeniably one of the most talented and complex rappers spitting bars today"
   • 5. a partition in a court room, now usually notional, beyond which most people may not pass and at which an accused person stands: "the prisoner at the bar"
   • ▪ a rail marking the end of each chamber in the Houses of Parliament: British "he had to appear at the Bar of the House for a reprimand by the Speaker"
   • 6. the profession of barrister: "his dismissal from the Singapore Bar"
   • ▪ barristers collectively. British Similar barristersadvocatescounsel
   • ▪ lawyers collectively. North American
   • ▪ a particular court of law.

   verb

   • 1. fasten (something, especially a door or window) with a bar or bars: "she bolted and barred the door" Similar boltlockfastenpadlocksecurelatchblockbarricadeobstructdeadlocksnecksnibOpposite unbar
   • 2. prevent or prohibit (someone) from doing something or from going somewhere: "she is barred from leaving the country" Similar prohibitdebarprecludeforbidbaninterdictinhibitexcludekeep outobstructhinderrestraincheckblockimpedestopenjoinestopOpposite admitaccept
   • ▪ forbid someone from undertaking (an activity): "the job she loved had been barred to her"
   • ▪ exclude (something) from consideration: "nothing is barred in the crime novel"
   • ▪ prevent or delay (an action) by objection.
   • 3. mark (something) with bars or stripes: "his face was barred with light"

   preposition

   • 1. except for: British "his kids were all gone now, bar one"
   • ▪ except the horses indicated (used when stating the odds). British

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French barre (noun), barrer (verb), of unknown origin.

   Scrabble Points: 5

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points