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. barrier 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 ]