Bar Meaning
/bɑː/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA solid, more or less rigid object of metal or wood with a uniform cross-section smaller than its length.
nounA solid metal object with uniform (round, square, hexagonal, octagonal or rectangular) cross-section; in the US its smallest dimension is ¹⁄₄ inch or greater, a piece of thinner material being called a strip.
Sentence Examples
We had a bar of gold stolen.
We're doing the same old routine: going bar hopping and then to karaoke.
We arranged to meet in a bar called the Flamingo.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge decided to ____ the evidence from the trial.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The metal ____ was used to support the heavy weight of the shelf.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English barre, from Old French barre (“beam, bar, gate, barrier”), from Vulgar Latin *barra, of uncertain origin. Doublet of barre.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Chief Medical Officer of London Transport believes that public opinion against smoking will harden to the point of a total bar on the Underground, as in other countries."
— 1959 May 26, “Accommodation for Non-Smokers”, in Railway Magazine, pages 295-296:
"Muſt I new bars to my own joy create?"
— 1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, Act V, page 83:
"Sexual preference or orientation shall not be a bar to becoming a foster parent."
— 1987 February 1, Nancy A. Coleman, “Foster Care: Case By Case Basis”, in Gay Community News, volume 14, number 28, page 5:
"Mr Harding could look back on his initial judgement of Paul's talent with great satisfaction while Paul could reflect that to be Irish was not necessarily a bar to progress."
— 2013, Terence Dillon, A Long Way Home, page 184:
"His musical journey, and this is a quote, is “a constant push and pull between self awareness and delusion”. That’s bars right there to be honest."
— 2025 June 13, “Matt Miggz: Drums, Delusion, and Staying True”, in WAVS BLOG:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The judge decided to ____ the evidence from the trial.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The metal ____ was used to support the heavy weight of the shelf.