›something that prevents something else from happening or makes it more difficult: barrier (to sth)In an ideal world, there would be no barriers to the free movement of people between countries. → See alsonon-tariff barrier, trade barrier
›something that keeps people or things apart: The language barrier is less frightening in print than over the telephone.barrier between sb/sth (and sb/sth)Lack of regular communication is named time and time again as the major barrier between management and employees.
›a number or measurement that is considered to be important or hard to reach: The average wage in Britain has broken the £20,000 barrier.The Dow Jones broke the 10,000 barrier early in the day, but closed down 41.85 points at 9923.42.