bar

/bɑ:/
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bar

The lawyer stands before the bar to address the judge.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A long, rigid piece of solid material: A "bar" is a straight piece of metal, wood, or other solid substance, often used as a support, obstruction, or weapon.
    • A counter or establishment serving drinks or food: A "bar" is a place where alcoholic beverages are served over a counter, or the counter itself where food and drinks are sold.
    • A unit of musical time: In music, a "bar" is a segment of time defined by a given number of beats, represented by vertical lines on a staff.
    • A legal profession or court enclosure: The "bar" can refer to the profession of being a lawyer, or the railing in a courtroom that separates the area for judges and lawyers.
    • An obstruction or obstacle: A "bar" is something that blocks a path or prevents progress.
    • A narrow stripe or band: A "bar" is a long, narrow marking of a different color or texture.
    • A submerged ridge: A "bar" is a ridge of sand or other material at the mouth of a river or along a shore.
    • A unit of pressure: In meteorology and physics, a "bar" is a unit of pressure equal to 100,000 pascals.
  2. Verb:

    • To fasten or obstruct with a bar: To "bar" means to secure a door or window with a rigid piece of material to prevent entry or exit.
    • To prohibit or prevent: To "bar" means to officially forbid someone from doing something or entering a place.
    • To block a path: To "bar" means to obstruct a road, passage, or way.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The windows had strong iron bars for security. (The windows were secured with rigid metal pieces.)
    • Let's meet at the bar for a drink after work. (Let's meet at the establishment serving drinks.)
    • The song's chorus repeats every eight bars. (The musical segment of eight beats repeats.)
    • After passing the exam, she was admitted to the bar. (She became qualified to practice law.)
    • His criminal record was a bar to employment. (His record was an obstacle to getting a job.)
    • The flag had red and white bars. (The flag had red and white stripes.)
    • The ship could not pass because of the sand bar. (The submerged ridge of sand blocked the ship.)
  • Verb:

    • Please bar the door before you go to sleep. (Please fasten the door with a bar.)
    • The club bars anyone under the age of 21. (The club prohibits entry to people under 21.)
    • Fallen trees barred the road after the storm. (Fallen trees blocked the road.)
Advanced Usage
  • "To be called to the bar": To be admitted to practice as a lawyer.

    • She studied for years before being called to the bar.
  • "Behind bars": In prison.

    • The criminal spent ten years behind bars.
  • "Bar none": With no exceptions.

    • This is the best restaurant in town, bar none.
Variants and Related Words
  • Barroom (n): A room with a bar for serving alcoholic drinks.
  • Crossbar (n): A horizontal bar, especially on a goalpost or bicycle.
  • Sandbar (n): A ridge of sand formed in a river or along a shore.
  • Barred (adj): Having bars; or prohibited.
    • The window was barred.
    • He is barred from the premises.
Synonyms
  • Noun (rod): Rod, pole, beam.
  • Noun (obstacle): Barrier, obstacle, obstruction.
  • Noun (pub): Pub, tavern, saloon.
  • Verb (block): Block, obstruct, impede.
  • Verb (ban): Ban, prohibit, forbid.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • "Bar from": To officially prevent someone from entering a place or doing something.
    • He was barred from the competition for cheating.
Related Idioms
  • "Raise the bar": To set a higher standard.

    • The new manager really raised the bar for performance.
  • "A bar to (something)": An obstacle preventing something.

    • Lack of funding is a bar to further research.
bar

The lawyer stands before the bar to address the judge.

Noun
  1. (law) a railing that encloses the part of the courtroom where the judges and lawyers sit and the case is tried
    • spectators were not allowed past the bar
  2. a heating element in an electric fire
    • an electric fire with three bars
  3. a horizontal rod that serves as a support for gymnasts as they perform exercises
  4. a portable .30 caliber automatic rifle operated by gas pressure and fed by cartridges from a magazine; used by United States troops in World War I and in World War II and in the Korean War
  5. a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
    • a bar of chocolate
  6. a narrow marking of a different color or texture from the background
    • a green toad with small black stripes or bars
    • may the Stars and Stripes forever wave
  7. the body of individuals qualified to practice law in a particular jurisdiction
    • he was admitted to the bar in New Jersey
  8. a submerged (or partly submerged) ridge in a river or along a shore
    • the boat ran aground on a submerged bar in the river
  9. (meteorology) a unit of pressure equal to a million dynes per square centimeter
    • unfortunately some writers have used bar for one dyne per square centimeter
  10. the act of preventing
    • there was no bar against leaving
    • money was allocated to study the cause and prevention of influenza
  11. an obstruction (usually metal) placed at the top of a goal
    • it was an excellent kick but the ball hit the bar
  12. musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats
    • the orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song
  13. a rigid piece of metal or wood; usually used as a fastening or obstruction or weapon
    • there were bars in the windows to prevent escape
  14. a counter where you can obtain food or drink
    • he bought a hot dog and a coke at the bar
  15. a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
    • he drowned his sorrows in whiskey at the bar
Verb
  1. secure with, or as if with, bars
    • He barred the door
  2. expel, as if by official decree
    • he was banished from his own country
  3. render unsuitable for passage
    • block the way
    • barricade the streets
    • stop the busy road
  4. prevent from entering; keep out
    • He was barred from membership in the club