Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense bars, present participle barring, past tense, past participle barred
1. countable noun
A bar is a place where you can buy and drink alcoholic drinks.
[mainly US]
...Devil's Herd, the city's most popular country-western bar.
...the Brass Nickel Bar.
Synonyms: public house, pub [informal, mainly British], counter, inn More Synonyms of bar
2. countable noun
A bar is a room in a pub or hotel where alcoholic drinks are served.
[British]
I'll see you in the bar later.
On the ship there are lounges, a bar and a small duty-free shop.
3. countable noun
A bar is a counter on which alcoholic drinks are served.
Michael was standing alone by the bar when Brian rejoined him.
He leaned forward across the bar.
Synonyms: counter, stand, table More Synonyms of bar
4. See also coffee bar, public bar, singles bar, snack bar, wine bar
5. countable noun
A bar is a long, straight, stiff piece of metal.
...a brick building with bars across the ground floor windows.
...a crowd throwing stones and iron bars.
Synonyms: rod, staff, stick, stake More Synonyms of bar
6.
See behind bars
7. countable noun
A barof something is a piece of it which is roughly rectangular.
What is your favourite chocolate bar?
...a bar of soap. [+ of]
Synonyms: piece, bit, block, slice More Synonyms of bar
8. countable noun [usually with supplement]
A bar of an electric fire is a piece of metal with wire wound round it that glows and provides heat when the fire is switched on.
[British]
...a two-bar electric fire with a frayed flex.
9. verb
If you bar a door, you place something in front of it or a piece of wood or metal across itin order to prevent it from being opened.
For added safety, bar the door to the kitchen. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: lock, block, secure, chain More Synonyms of bar
barredadjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
The windows were closed and shuttered, the door was barred.
Synonyms: excluded, banned, forbidden, prohibited More Synonyms of bar
Synonyms: striped, lined, marked, banded More Synonyms of bar
10. verb
If you bar someone's way, you prevent them from going somewhere or entering a place, by blocking their path.
Harry moved to bar his way. [VERB noun]
He stepped in front of her, barring her way. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: block, restrict, hold up, restrain More Synonyms of bar
11. verb [usually passive]
If someone is barredfrom a place or from doing something, they are officially forbidden to go there or to do it.
Foreign journalists are barred from entering the country. [beVERB-ed + from]
Many jobs were barred to them. [beVERB-ed + to]
12. countable noun
If something is a barto doing a particular thing, it prevents someone from doing it.
One of the fundamental bars to communication is the lack of a common language. [+ to]
In industry after industry, government bodies have erected bars to competition.
Synonyms: obstacle, block, barrier, hurdle More Synonyms of bar
13.
See no holds barred
14. preposition
You can use bar when you mean 'except'. For example, all the work bar the washing means all the work except the washing.
Bar a large massage table, there wasn't much furniture in the room.
The aim of the service was to offer everything the independent investor wanted, baradvice.
See also barring
Synonyms: except, but, saving, save [archaic] More Synonyms of bar
15.
See bar none
16. proper noun
TheBar is used to refer to the profession of a barrister in England, or of any kind of lawyer in the United States.
Robert was planning to read for the Bar.
17. countable noun
In music, a bar is one of the several short parts of the same length into which a piece of musicis divided.
[mainly British]regional note: in AM, use measure
More Synonyms of bar
English Easy Learning GrammarPrepositionsA preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate differentitems to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings ... Read more
bar in British English1
(bɑː)
noun
1.
a rigid usually straight length of metal, wood, etc, that is longer than it is wide or thick,used esp as a barrier or as a structural or mechanical part
a bar of a gate
2.
a solid usually rectangular block of any material
a bar of soap
3.
anything that obstructs or prevents
4.
a.
an offshore ridge of sand, mud, or shingle lying near the shore and parallel to it, across the mouth of a river, bay, or harbour, or linking an island to the mainland
b. US and Canadian
an alluvial deposit in a stream, river, or lake
5.
a counter or room where alcoholic drinks are served
6.
a counter, room, or establishment where a particular range of goods, food, services,etc, are sold
a coffee bar
a heel bar
7.
a narrow band or stripe, as of colour or light
8.
a heating element in an electric fire
9.
(in England) the area in a court of law separating the part reserved for the bench and Queen's Counsel from the area occupied by junior barristers, solicitors, and the general public
See also Bar
10.
the place in a court of law where the accused stands during his or her trial
the prisoner at the bar
11.
a particular court of law
12. British
(in the House of Lords and House of Commons) the boundary where nonmembers wishing to address either House appear and where persons are arraigned
13.
a plea showing that a plaintiff has no cause of action, as when the case has already been adjudicated upon or the time allowed for bringing the action has passed
14.
anything referred to as an authority or tribunal
the bar of decency
15. Also called: measure music
a.
a group of beats that is repeated with a consistent rhythm throughout a piece or passage of music. The number of beats in the bar isindicated by the time signature
b. another word for bar line
16.
a. British
insignia added to a decoration indicating a second award
b. US
a strip of metal worn with uniform, esp to signify rank or as an award for service
17. a variant spelling of barre
18. sport crossbar
19. gymnastics horizontal bar
20.
a.
part of the metal mouthpiece of a horse's bridle
b.
the space between the horse's teeth in which such a part fits
21.
either of two horny extensions that project forwards and inwards from the rear of the outer layer of a horse's hoof
22. crowbar, glazing-bar
23. lacemaking, needlework another name for bride2
24. heraldry
an ordinary consisting of a horizontal line across a shield, typically narrower than a fesse, and usually appearing in twos or threes
25. mathematics
a superscript line ⁻ placed over a letter symbol to indicate, for example, a mean value or thecomplex conjugate of a complex number
26. behind bars
27. won't have a bar of
verbWord forms: bars, barring or barred(transitive)
28.
to fasten or secure with a bar
to bar the door
29.
to shut in or out with or as if with barriers
to bar the entrances
30.
to obstruct; hinder
the fallen tree barred the road
31. (usually foll by from)
to prohibit; forbid
to bar a couple from meeting
32. (usually foll by from)
to keep out; exclude
to bar a person from membership
33.
to mark with a bar or bars
34. law
to prevent or halt (an action) by showing that the claimant has no cause
35.
to mark off (music) into bars with bar lines
preposition
36.
except for
the best recital bar last night's
37. bar none
Word origin
C12: from Old French barre, from Vulgar Latin barra (unattested) bar, rod, of unknown origin
bar in British English2
(bɑː)
noun
a cgs unit of pressure equal to 106 dynes per square centimetre. 1 bar is equivalent to 105 newtons per square metre
Word origin
C20: from Greek baros weight
bar in British English3
(bɑː) Southwest England dialect
noun
1.
immunity from being caught or otherwise penalized in a game
exclamation
2.
a cry for such immunity
Word origin
variant of barley2
Bar in British English
(bɑː)
noun
the Bar
1.
(in England and elsewhere) barristers collectively
2. US
the legal profession collectively
3. be called to the Bar
4. be called within the Bar
BAR in British English
abbreviation for
Browning Automatic Rifle
bar. in British English
abbreviation for
1.
barometer
2.
barometric
3.
barrel (container or unit of measure)
4.
barrister
Bar- in British English
(bar, bɑː)
prefix
(before Jewish patronymic names) son of
Bar-Kochba
BAR in American English
Browning automatic rifle
Bar in American English
Bible
Baruch
bar in American English1
(bɑr)
noun
1.
any piece of wood, metal, etc. longer than it is wide or thick, often used as a barrier,fastening, lever, etc.
2.
a.
an oblong piece or mass of something solid
bar of soap, chocolate bar
b.
any of various small metal strips worn to show military or other rank
3.
a thing that blocks the way or prevents entrance, departure, or further movement; specif., sandbar
4.
anything that hinders or prevents
illiteracy is a bar to success
5.
a strip, stripe, band, or broad line, as of light or color
6.
a.
the railing enclosing the part of a law court where the judges or lawyers sit, or where prisoners are brought to trial
b.
this part of the law court
7.
a.
a law court or system of courts
b.
any place of judgment
the bar of public opinion
8.
a.
lawyers collectively
b.
the legal profession
9.
a.
a counter at which alcoholic drinks and sometimes food are served
b.
an establishment or room with such a counter
c.
an article of furniture, often on wheels, from which drinks, etc. are served
10.
barre
11.
the mouthpiece of a horse's bit, or the part of a horse's mouth into which it isfitted
12.
in lace making and other needlework, a loop or tie that connects parts of a pattern
13. Heraldry
a horizontal stripe on a shield or bearing
14. Law
a.
the defeat or nullifying of a claim or action
b.
anything that brings this about
15. Music
a.
a vertical line across a staff, dividing it into measures
b.
a measure
c.
double bar
16. Athletics
the horizontal bar used in the high jump or , pole vault
17. Zoology
either of the ends of the wall of a horse's hoof, curving inward toward the center of the sole
verb transitiveWord forms: barred or ˈbarring
18.
to fasten with or as with a bar
19.
to obstruct by means of a bar or bars; shut off; close
20.
to oppose, prevent, or forbid, as by legal action
21.
to keep out; exclude
he was barred from the contest
22.
to set aside
barring certain possibilities
23.
to mark with stripes
preposition
24.
excluding; excepting
the best bar none
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈhinder, shoal
Idioms:
cross the bar
raise (or lower) the bar
Word origin
ME & OFr barre < ML barra, bar, barrier, prob. < Gaul *barros, the bushy end, akin to Ir bar, branch < IE *bhoros, cut wood < base *bher-, to cut with a sharp tool
bar in American English2
(bɑr)
noun
1.
the basic unit of pressure in the CGS system, equal to the pressure of a force ofone million dynes per square centimeter: abbrev. b
2. Obsolete
microbar
Word origin
Ger < Gr baros, weight, akin to barys, heavy: see grave1
bar in American English3
1.
a.
barometer
b.
barometric
2.
barrel
bar in Hospitality1
(bɑr)
Word forms: (regular plural) bars
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Hotel bar)
A bar is a room in a hotel or other establishment where alcoholic drinks are served.
The hotel bar is open from 7pm until 10:30pm, with happy hour from 7pm to 8pm.
There's a nice bar across the street that serves excellent wines.
There is a comfortable bar where you can enjoy a drink in the hotel.
bar in Hospitality2
(bɑr)
Word forms: (regular plural) bars
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Hotel bar)
A bar is a counter on which alcoholic drinks are served.
Several guests were drinking at the bar.
The customer stood by the bar while the bartender brought his drink.
People usually come to the bar to order drinks.
Examples of 'bar' in a sentence
bar
Residents and shoppers hit out after being barred from the city street.
The Sun (2016)
Plans for a bar in one of the new venues have provoked warnings from alcohol awareness groups.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They avoided jail but know that another conviction could land them behind bars.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You normally have a chat with the opposition in the bar afterwards but none of them came in.
The Sun (2017)
Hit the bar with a thunderous header on a raid forward and looked a menace on the overlap with his pace.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is comedy, theatre and music on offer plus bars and restaurants to relax in and.
The Sun (2016)
The other three are in the main building above the bar and restaurant, and suffer a little from noise on busy weekends.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Positions on offer include kitchen managers, chefs, bar staff and hosts.
The Sun (2016)
Pregnant soldiers are barred from the front line.
The Sun (2011)
Or in their beautiful bar next door.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The bar staff watch anxiously as the colour returns to his cheeks.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It has smart rooms and a rooftop bar.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They should have been handed another gong for their services to the bar too.
The Sun (2008)
They are then directed to a lift away from the busy reception area and bar.
The Sun (2012)
This wicked woman deserves many dark years behind bars.
The Sun (2006)
His bar hosts regular music nights and he has seen interest rise since the accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What was the philosophy behind meeting in a bar?
Christianity Today (2000)
Hit the bar in the first half.
The Sun (2012)
The lively bar offers a range of snacks and light bites.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You often see couples in the bar.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Their offices are filled with toys and bar games.
The Sun (2016)
She was barred from taking part in negotiations.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She left the bar alone to go to the sea.
The Sun (2011)
The public was barred from the court.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Spain has a law which allows bars of a specific size to still allow smoking.
The Sun (2009)
The resort has two pools and five bars and restaurants.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The new jobs would cover bar and kitchen staff.
The Sun (2009)
But with your sensible trousers on this is the best car in its class bar none.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You can find some great little bars and restaurants there.
The Sun (2014)
Think how many hours working in bar that is.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The bar is now one of the last remaining relics of old Venice.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
And watching the game in one of the city 's bars is an experience like no other.
The Sun (2013)
The old flint building 's bar has a pool table at one end and a burgundy leather sofa and armchairs at the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Word lists with
bar
gun, heraldry, Tack and equipment and their parts, table
In other languages
bar
British English: bar /bɑː/ NOUN
metal or wooden A bar is a long, thin piece of wood or metal.
There were bars on the windows.
American English: bar strip
Arabic: قَضِيب
Brazilian Portuguese: barra
Chinese: 横条
Croatian: prečka
Czech: tyč
Danish: stang
Dutch: staaf
European Spanish: barra
Finnish: tanko
French: barre
German: Stange
Greek: ράβδος
Italian: sbarra
Japanese: 棒
Korean: 막대
Norwegian: stripe
Polish: drążek
European Portuguese: tira
Romanian: bară
Russian: брусок
Latin American Spanish: barra
Swedish: stång
Thai: ราว แท่ง
Turkish: çubuk
Ukrainian: брусок
Vietnamese: thanh hình chữ nhật
British English: bar /bɑː/ NOUN
pub A bar is a place where people buy and drink alcoholic drinks.
...the city's most popular bar.
American English: bar alcohol
Arabic: حَانَة
Brazilian Portuguese: bar
Chinese: 酒吧
Croatian: bar
Czech: bar
Danish: bar sted med udskænkning
Dutch: bar café
European Spanish: bar mostrador
Finnish: baari
French: bar
German: Bar
Greek: μπαρ
Italian: bar
Japanese: バー 酒場
Korean: 술집
Norwegian: bar
Polish: bar
European Portuguese: bar
Romanian: bar
Russian: бар
Latin American Spanish: bar
Swedish: bar servering
Thai: บาร์ ที่จำหน่ายเครื่องดื่ม
Turkish: bar
Ukrainian: бар
Vietnamese: quán rượu
British English: bar VERB
If you bar a door, you place something in front of it or a piece of wood or metal across it in order to prevent it from being opened.
For added safety, bar the door to the kitchen.
American English: bar
Brazilian Portuguese: obstruir
Chinese: 闩 门
European Spanish: atrancar
French: barrer
German: blockieren
Italian: sbarrare
Japanese: かんぬきをかける
Korean: 막다
European Portuguese: obstruir
Latin American Spanish: trancar
Chinese translation of 'bar'
bar
(bɑːʳ)
n(c)
(= place for drinking) 酒吧 (jiǔbā) (个(個), gè)
(= counter) (in pub) 吧台(臺) (bātái) (个(個), gè)
(= rod)[of metal]条(條) (tiáo)
(on window, in prison) 铁(鐵)栏(欄)杆 (tiě lán'gān) (条(條), tiáo)
(= tablet)[of soap, chocolate]块(塊) (kuài)
(fig, = obstacle) 障碍(礙) (zhàng'ài)
(esp Brit, Mus) 小节(節)线(線) (xiǎojiéxiàn)
美 = measure
(Law)
the Bar (= profession) 律师(師)业(業) (lǜshīyè)
vt
[way, road]阻挡(擋) (zǔdǎng)
[door, window]闩(閂)上 (shuānshang)
[person, activity]禁止 (jìnzhǐ)
to be behind bars[prisoner]坐牢 (zuòláo)
no holds barred竭尽(盡)全力 (jié jìn quán lì)
bar none无(無)例外 (wú lìwài)
All related terms of 'bar'
the Bar
( profession ) 律师(師)业(業) lǜshīyè
bar code
条(條)形码(碼) tiáoxíngmǎ
bar none
无(無)例外 wú lìwài
wine bar
酒吧 jiǔbā [ 家 jiā ]
candy bar
条(條)形巧克力 tiáoxíng qiǎokèlì
snack bar
小吃部 xiǎochībù [ 个(個) gè ]
coffee bar
咖啡馆(館) kāfēiguǎn [ 家 jiā ]
bar of chocolate
巧克力条(條) qiǎokèlì tiáo
the prisoner at the bar
( Law ) 被告 bèigào
lounge
( in hotel ) 休息室 xiūxishì [ 间(間) jiān ]
saloon
( US : bar ) 酒吧 jiǔbā
1 (noun)
Definition
a counter or room where alcoholic drinks are served
the city's most popular country and western bar
Synonyms
public house
pub (informal, mainly British)
He was in the pub until closing time.
counter
inn
the Waterside inn
local (British, informal)
The Black Horse is my local.
lounge
saloon
tavern
The tavern was packed with about 120 drinkers.
canteen
watering hole (facetious, slang)
boozer (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal)
I just popped into the boozer for a drink.
beer parlour (Canadian)
roadhouse
hostelry (archaic, facetious)
alehouse (archaic)
taproom
2 (noun)
Definition
a counter or room where alcoholic drinks are served
Last night there was a folk group playing in the bar.
Synonyms
public bar
3 (noun)
Definition
a counter or room where alcoholic drinks are served
He leaned forward across the bar.
Synonyms
counter
He put the money on the counter and left.
stand
She bought a hot dog from a stand on a street corner.
table
I placed his drink on the small table.
4 (noun)
Definition
a rigid usually straight length of metal, wood, etc. used as a barrier or structural part
a crowd throwing stones and iron bars
Synonyms
rod
reinforced with steel rods
staff
We carried a staff that was notched at various lengths.
stick
Crowds armed with sticks and stones took to the streets.
stake
Drive in a stake before planting the tree.
rail
pole
The sign hung at the top of a large pole.
paling
shaft
a drive shaft
baton
I could see a baton being used vigorously.
mace
a life-size statue of the king holding a golden mace
batten
Timber battens can be fixed to the wall.
palisade
crosspiece
5 (noun)
Definition
a solid usually rectangular block of any material
a bar of soap
Synonyms
piece
a piece of wood
Another piece of cake?
bit
crumpled bits of paper
block
a block of ice
slice
water flavoured with a slice of lemon
cake
He bought a cake of soap.
quantity
portion
I have spent a large portion of my life here.
tablet
chunk
Cut the melon into chunks.
slab
slabs of stone
6 (noun)
Definition
anything that obstructs or prevents
one of the fundamental bars to communication
Synonyms
obstacle
Overcrowding remains a large obstacle to improving conditions.
block
a block to peace
barrier
Duties and taxes are the most obvious barriers to free trade.
hurdle
The weather will be the biggest hurdle.
hitch
The five-hour operation went without a hitch.
barricade
Large areas of the city have been closed off by barricades.
snag
A police crackdown hit a snag when villains stole one of their cars.
deterrent
Police believe that CCTV cameras are an effective deterrent.
obstruction
Americans viewed the army as an obstruction to legitimate economic development.
stumbling block
Perhaps the major stumbling block is the military presence.
impediment
There is no legal impediment to the marriage.
hindrance
Higher rates have been a hindrance to economic recovery.
interdict
Opposites
help
,
benefit
,
aid
7 (noun)
Definition
a group of beats that is repeated with a consistent rhythm throughout a piece of music
Another bar of music trills forth.
Synonyms
measure (US)
snatch of music
8 (noun)
Definition
the place in a court of law where the accused stands during trial
Synonyms
dock
court
At this rate, you could find yourself in court for assault.
bench
courtroom
law court
She would never resort to the law courts to solve her marital problems.
1 (verb)
Definition
to secure with a bar
For added safety, bar the door to the kitchen.
Synonyms
lock
Are you sure you locked the front door?
block
secure
With a discreet click he secured the lock.
chain
attach
Attach labels to things before you file them away.
anchor
The driver's seatbelt was not properly anchored in the car.
bolt
He reminded her to lock and bolt the kitchen door behind her.
blockade
Truck drivers have blockaded roads to show their anger over driving regulations.
barricade
The doors had been barricaded.
fortify
fasten
He fastened the door behind him.
latch
He latched the door, tested it and turned round to speak to us.
obstruct
make firm
make fast
stop
I think she really would have liked to stop everything right there.
2 (verb)
Definition
to obstruct
He stepped in front of her, barring her way.
Synonyms
block
The police officer blocked his path.
restrict
The shoulder straps restrict movement.
hold up
restrain
He grabbed my arm, partly to restrain me.
hamper
I was hampered by a lack of information.
thwart
They were doing all they could to thwart the opposition.
hinder
Landslides are continuing to hinder the arrival of relief supplies.
obstruct
Drivers who park illegally obstruct the flow of traffic.
impede
Fallen rocks are impeding the progress of rescue workers.
shut off
3 (verb)
Definition
to exclude
They have been barred from playing in several countries.
Synonyms
exclude
The orchestra excluded children younger than twelve.
ban
Last year arms sales were banned.
forbid
They'll forbid you to leave.
prohibit
the law which prohibits trading on Sunday
keep out of
disallow
He ruled that my testimony should be disallowed.
shut out of
ostracize
She is being ostracized by members of her local community.
debar
She could be debarred from politics for several years.
blackball
Members can blackball candidates in secret ballots.
interdict
Troops could be ferried in to interdict drug shipments.
black
Opposites
let
,
allow
,
receive
,
accept
,
admit
, permit
(preposition)
Definition
except for
They provide everything the independent investor wants, bar advice.
Synonyms
except
but
saving
save (archaic)
barring
excepting
apart from
other than
excluding
besides
omitting
with the exception of
exclusive of
phrase
See the Bar
Additional synonyms
in the sense of anchor
The driver's seatbelt was not properly anchored in the car.
Synonyms
secure,
tie,
fix,
bind,
chain,
attach,
bolt,
fasten,
affix
in the sense of attach
Definition
to join, fasten, or connect
Attach labels to things before you file them away.