Bar″ri‐er (�), n. [OE. barrere, barere, F. barrière, fr. barre bar. See Bar, n.] 1. (Fort.) A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.
2. A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach.
3. pl. A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd.
No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists.
Sir W. Scott.
4. Any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack. “Constitutional barriers.” Hopkinson.
5. Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.
'Twixt that and reason, what a nice barrier!
Pope.
Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier. — Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less extensive. — To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a martial exercise.