n. 1 a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area. 2 a rapid succession of questions or criticisms. 3 an artificial barrier, esp. in a river. 4 a heat or deciding event in fencing, show jumping, etc. barrage balloon a large anchored balloon, often with netting suspended from it, used (usu. as one of a series) as a defence against low-flying aircraft.
[ F f. barrer (as BAR(1)) ]