- 1an object like a fence that prevents people from moving forward from one place to another The crowd had to stand behind barriers. Show your ticket at the barrier. The car crashed into the safety barrier and burst into flames.
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- 2a problem, rule, or situation that prevents someone from doing something, or that makes something impossible the removal of trade barriers The act of learning knows no age barriers. barrier to something Lack of confidence is a psychological barrier to success. Cost should not be a barrier to the use of legal services. Topic CollocationsInternational Relationstrade
- facilitate/regulate trade (with other countries)
- form/join a trading bloc
- live in/compete in a global/the world economy
- support/promote free trade
- adopt/call for/oppose protectionist measures
- erect/impose/reduce/remove trade barriers
- impose/lift/raise/eliminate import tariffs (on something)
- have/run a huge/large/growing trade surplus/deficit
- embrace/resist/drive globalization
- handle/talk about/discuss foreign policy
- pursue an aggressive/a hawkish foreign policy
- require/use/conduct diplomacy
- establish/break off/sever/restore diplomatic relations/ties
- foster/promote/strengthen regional cooperation
- facilitate/achieve economic/political integration
- exercise/defend/protect/transfer/restore/regain national/state/full/limited sovereignty
- consolidate/extend/lose/retain your power (in the region)
- hold/maintain/change/alter/shift the balance of power (in the region)
- cause/create/open/expose/heal/repair a deep/growing/major/serious rift between X and Y
- have/hold/host/attend an international conference/an economic forum/a G20 summit
- lead/launch a new round of global/multilateral/world trade negotiations
- send/head/lead/meet a high-level/an official/a trade delegation
- facilitate/begin/start/continue/resume peace talks
- be committed to/be opposed to/disrupt/undermine/derail/sabotage the peace process
- negotiate/achieve a lasting political settlement
- broker/sign a peace deal/agreement/treaty
- be/constitute/pose a threat to global security
- compromise/endanger/protect national security
- justify/be in favor of/support/be against/oppose military intervention
- threaten/authorize/launch/take/support/oppose unilateral/preemptive military action
- impose/enforce/lift/end economic sanctions/an arms embargo/a naval blockade
- close/protect/secure/patrol the border
- lead/be involved in a peacekeeping operation
- negotiate/announce a $15 billion aid package/an economic stimulus package
- send/provide/request/cut off military aid
- bring/provide emergency/humanitarian relief
- deliver/distribute medical supplies/food supplies
- fund/run a foreign/a local/an international NGO
- reduce/eradicate/combat/fight child/global/world poverty
- 3something that exists between one thing or person and another and keeps them separate The Yangtze river is a natural barrier to the northeast. the language barrier (= when people cannot communicate because they do not speak the same language) barrier between A and B There was no real barrier between reality and fantasy in his mind. barrier against something Ozone is the earth's barrier against ultraviolet radiation. Thesaurusborder
- boundary
- frontier
- barrier
- border the line that separates two countries or areas; the land near this line:a national park on the border between Montana and Wyoming
- boundary a line that marks the edges of an area of land and separates it from other areas:The fence marked the boundary between my property and hers.
- The point where you cross from one country to another is usually called the border. The line on a map that shows the border of a country can be called the boundary, but “boundary” is not used when you cross from one country to another:After the war, the national boundaries were redrawn. Thousands of immigrants cross the boundary every day.Boundary can also be a physical line between two places, for example between property belonging to two different people, marked by a fence or wall:the boundary fence/wall between the properties
- frontier the border between two countries or areas; a line that marks the beginning of an unexplored or dangerous area:the frontier between Guatemala and Mexico The Ingalls family crossed the frontier in a covered wagon.
- barrier something that exists between two places and prevents easy movement between them:The mountains form a natural barrier between the ocean and the desert.
- across/along/on/over a/the border/boundary/frontier/barrier
- at the boundary/frontier/barrier
- the border/boundary/frontier with a place
- the northern/southern/eastern/western border/boundary/frontier
- a national/common/disputed border/boundary/frontier
- 4a particular amount, level, or number which it is difficult to get past the first player whose earnings passed the $10 million barrier Thesaurusborder
- boundary
- frontier
- barrier
- border the line that separates two countries or areas; the land near this line:a national park on the border between Montana and Wyoming
- boundary a line that marks the edges of an area of land and separates it from other areas:The fence marked the boundary between my property and hers.
- The point where you cross from one country to another is usually called the border. The line on a map that shows the border of a country can be called the boundary, but “boundary” is not used when you cross from one country to another:After the war, the national boundaries were redrawn. Thousands of immigrants cross the boundary every day.Boundary can also be a physical line between two places, for example between property belonging to two different people, marked by a fence or wall:the boundary fence/wall between the properties
- frontier the border between two countries or areas; a line that marks the beginning of an unexplored or dangerous area:the frontier between Guatemala and Mexico The Ingalls family crossed the frontier in a covered wagon.
- barrier something that exists between two places and prevents easy movement between them:The mountains form a natural barrier between the ocean and the desert.
- across/along/on/over a/the border/boundary/frontier/barrier
- at the boundary/frontier/barrier
- the border/boundary/frontier with a place
- the northern/southern/eastern/western border/boundary/frontier
- a national/common/disputed border/boundary/frontier
Check pronunciation: barrier