ˈbærɪə n. 1 a
fence or
other obstacle that bars
advance or
access. 2 an obstacle or
circumstance that keeps
people or things
apart, or prevents
communication (class barriers; a
language barrier). 3
anything that prevents
progress or
success. 4 a gate at a
car park,
railway station,
etc., that controls access. 5 colloq. =
sound barrier. øbarrier
cream a cream used to
protect the skin from damage or
infection. barrier reef a
coral reef separated from the shore by a
broad deep channel. [ME f. AF barrere, OF barriere]