Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense barrages, present participle barraging, past tense, past participle barragedpronunciation note: Pronounced (bɑːrɪdʒ) for meaning [sense 4] in American English.
1. countable noun
A barrage is continuous firing on an area with large guns and tanks.
The artillery barrage on the city centre was the heaviest since the ceasefire.
The two fighters were driven off by a barrage of anti-aircraft fire.
Synonyms: bombardment, attack, bombing, assault More Synonyms of barrage
2. countable noun [usually singular]
A barrageof something such as criticism or complaints is a large number of them directed at someone, often in an aggressive way.
He was faced with a barrage of angry questions from the floor. [+ of]
Synonyms: torrent, attack, mass, storm More Synonyms of barrage
3. verb [usually passive]
If you are barraged by people or things, you have to deal with a great number of people or things you would rather avoid.
Doctors are complaining about being barraged by drug-company salesmen. [beVERB-ed + by]
He was barraged with calls from friends who were furious at the indiscreet disclosures. [beVERB-ed + with]
Synonyms: harass, harry, bug [informal], annoy More Synonyms of barrage
4. countable noun
A barrage is a structure that is built across a river to control the level of the water.
...a hydro-electric tidal barrage.
Synonyms: barrier, wall, dam, obstruction More Synonyms of barrage
barrage in British English
(ˈbærɑːʒ)
noun
1. military
the firing of artillery to saturate an area, either to protect against an attack or to support an advance
2.
an overwhelming and continuous delivery of something, as words, questions, or punches
3.
a usually gated construction, similar to a low dam, across a watercourse, esp one to increase the depth of water to assist navigation or irrigation
4. fencing
a heat or series of bouts in a competition
verb
5. (transitive)
to attack or confront with a barrage
the speaker was barraged with abuse
Word origin
C19: from French, from barrer to obstruct; see bar1
barrage in American English
(bəˈrɑːʒ, esp. Brit., for 1, 2, 4, 5 ˈbærɑːʒ, for 3 ˈbɑːrɪdʒ) (verb-raged, -raging)
noun
1. Military
a heavy barrier of artillery fire to protect one's own advancing or retreating troops or to stop the advance of enemy troops
2.
an overwhelming quantity or explosion, as of words, blows, or criticisms
a barrage of questions
3. Civil Engineering
an artificial obstruction in a watercourse to increase the depth of the water, facilitate irrigation, etc
4. Biology
an aversion response of sexually incompatible fungus cultures that are growing in proximity, revealed by a persistent growth gap between them
transitive verb
5.
to subject to a barrage
Word origin
[1855–60; ‹ F: blocking, barring off, barrier, equiv. to barr(er) to bar1 + -age-age; artillery sense by ellipsis from F tir de barrage barrier fire]
Examples of 'barrage' in a sentence
barrage
Is it possible to maintain a relationship without telling your partner you are being subjected to a constant barrage of abuse?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Russia is aiming to recapture Aleppo this month, it said yesterday as regime forces increased their artillery barrage of the city.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Each attack was met by a barrage of fire.
Max Hastings Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 194445 (2007)
She faced a barrage of criticism from people who reckoned she would not be able to cope.
The Sun (2008)
He was subjected to a barrage of abuse this time from the right wing.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
Britain is blessed with potential tidal barrage sites.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Her older siblings have tried talking to her but they are met with a barrage of abuse too.
The Sun (2014)
It opens with him calling for cover as he tries to sneak behind enemy lines amid a barrage of fire.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
That ruling opened the police to a barrage of criticism, especially over their methods of investigation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They launched a barrage of attacks, and again the locks were heavily involved.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It could easily blow up in his face amid a barrage of birdies from the European duo.
The Sun (2014)
And he faces a barrage of fresh attacks today from the other 27 leaders.
The Sun (2016)
An artillery barrage followed by a mass infantry attack would punch a huge hole in the German lines.
The Sun (2014)
Normally, the chief executive of the bank expects a barrage of criticism about pay and overall performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
And a man keeps a sense of normality by reading in a park next to an anti-aircraft barrage balloon.
The Sun (2011)
He says: 'I am under a constant barrage from these people.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The Germans blamed the defeat on the fog hampering observations, as well as the artillery barrage.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Britain will slip back down the medals table and no doubt run into a barrage of press criticism about why we can't win anything any more.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You would think the Aussies would want to avoid the barrage of taunting texts from friends and family back in Blighty.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
barrage
British English: barrage NOUN
A barrage is continuous firing on an area with large guns and tanks.
The artillery barrage on the city was the heaviest since the ceasefire.
American English: barrage
Brazilian Portuguese: fogo de barragem
Chinese: 连续炮击
European Spanish: cortina de fuego
French: tir de barrage
German: Sperrfeuer
Italian: fuoco di sbarramento
Japanese: 爆撃
Korean: 집중 사격
European Portuguese: fogo de barragem
Latin American Spanish: cortina de fuego
British English: barrage VERB
If you are barraged by people or things, you have to deal with a great number of people or things you would rather avoid.
Doctors are complaining about being barraged by drug-company salesmen.