[bar.on] n [ME, fr. OF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG baro freeman] (13c) 1 a: one of a class of tenants holding his rights and title by military or other honorable service directly from a feudal superior (as a king) b: a lord of the realm: noble, peer
2. a: a member of the lowest grade of the peerage in Great Britain b: a nobleman on the continent of Europe of varying rank c: a member of the lowest order of nobility in Japan
3: a joint of meat consisting of two sirloins or loins and legs not cut apart at the backbone "a ~ of beef"
4: a man of great power or influence in some field of activity "cattle ~"