1. A relatively long, straight, rigid piece of solid material used as a fastener, support, barrier, or structural or mechanical member. 2a. A solid oblong block of a substance, such as soap or candy. b. A rectangular block of a precious metal. 3.Sportsa. A horizontal bar b. A horizontal rod that marks the height to be cleared in high jumping or pole vaulting. 4. A standard, expectation, or degree of requirement: a leader whose example set a high bar for others.5. Something that impedes or prevents action or progress. See synonyms at obstacle. 6. A ridge, as of sand or gravel, on a shore or streambed, that is formed by the action of tides or currents. 7. A narrow marking, as a stripe or band. 8a. A narrow metal or embroidered strip worn on a military uniform indicating rank or service. b.Chiefly British A small insignia worn on a military decoration indicating that it has been awarded an additional time. 9.Heraldry A pair of horizontal parallel lines drawn across a shield. 10.Lawa. The nullification, defeat, or prevention of a claim or action. b. The process by which nullification, defeat, or prevention is achieved. 11. The railing in a courtroom enclosing the part of the room where the judges and lawyers sit, witnesses are heard, and prisoners are tried. 12. A place of judgment; a tribunal. 13.Lawa. Attorneys considered as a group. b. The profession of law. 14.Musica. A vertical line drawn through a staff to mark off a measure. b. A measure. 15. Variant of barre. 16a. A counter at which drinks, especially alcoholic drinks, and sometimes food, are served. b. An establishment or room having such a counter.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
Inflected forms: barred, bar·ring, bars 1. To fasten securely with a long, straight, rigid piece of material. 2. To shut in or out with or as if with bars. 3. To obstruct or impede; block. 4. To keep out; exclude. See synonyms at hinder1. 5. To rule out; except. 6. To mark with stripes or bands. 7.Law To stop (a claim or action) by objection.
PREPOSITION:
Except for; excluding: This was your best performance, bar none.
IDIOM:
behind bars In prison.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English barre, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *barra.
bär
