- an object like a fence that prevents people from moving forward from one place to another
- The crowd had to stand behind barriers.
- Concrete barriers were erected around the site.
- The crowd managed to break through the barriers and get onto the pitch.
Extra Examples- The car crashed into the safety barrier and burst into flames.
- The police waited behind the barriers.
- Sightseers watched from the other side of the security barriers.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- physical
- crash
- crush
- …
- build
- erect
- install
- …
- at a/the barrier
- behind a/the barrier
- through a/the barrier
- …
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- (British English) a gate at a car park or railway station that controls when you may go through by being raised or lowered
- Scan your ticket at the barrier and it will automatically lift.
- There was a slow trickle of people through the barriers.
- She got her luggage stuck in the automatic barrier.
- a problem, rule or situation that prevents somebody from doing something, or that makes something impossible
- the removal of trade barriers
- to overcome/break down barriers
- the language barrier (= when people cannot communicate because they do not speak the same language)
- barrier to something Lack of confidence is a psychological barrier to success.
- The old laws created barriers to free trade.
- barrier against something The country has removed barriers against imports.
Collocations International relationsInternational 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
- conduct/handle/talk about/discuss foreign policy
- pursue an aggressive/a hawkish foreign policy
- require/use/conduct diplomacy
- establish/break off/sever/restore diplomatic relations
- 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/be a shift in 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 summit meeting
- launch a new round of global/multilateral/world trade negotiations
- send/head/lead/meet a high-level/an official/a trade delegation
- 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 favour of/ (US English) be in favor of/be against military intervention
- threaten/authorize/launch/take/support/oppose unilateral/pre-emptive 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/(British English) food parcels/(North American English)food packages
- fund/run a foreign/a local/an international NGO
- reduce/eradicate child/global/world poverty
Extra Examples- The world of Disney is a magical experience that knows no age barriers.
- Cost should not be a barrier to the use of legal services.
- Lack of a common language was a formidable barrier to communication.
- There has been a gradual reduction in subsidies and trade barriers.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- effective
- formidable
- major
- …
- build
- create
- erect
- …
- barrier against
- barrier between
- barrier to
- …
- something that exists between one thing or person and another and keeps them separate
- The Yangtze River is a natural barrier to the north-east.
- barrier between A and B There was no real barrier between reality and fantasy in his mind.
- barrier against something The cream acts as a protective barrier against sun damage.
Extra Examples- Ozone is the earth's barrier against ultraviolet radiation.
- The mountains form a natural barrier between the two countries.
- They believe that music can cross any barriers.
- There was a class barrier between the two families.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- impassable
- impenetrable
- natural
- …
- form
- barrier between
- a particular amount, level or number that it is difficult to get past
- the first player whose earnings passed the $10 million barrier
Word Originlate Middle English (denoting a palisade or fortification defending an entrance): from Old French barriere, of unknown origin.
Check pronunciation:
barrier