Meaning of “bar” in the English Dictionary

English
Contents

"bar" in English

See all translations

barnoun [ C ]

uk ​ /bɑːr/ us ​ /bɑːr/

bar noun [ C ] (DRINKING PLACE)

A1 a place where drinks, especially alcoholic drinks, are sold and drunk, or the area in such a place where the person serving the drinks stands:

They noticed him going into the hotel bar.
There weren't any free tables, so I sat at the bar.
Why don't you ask the guy behind the bar (= serving drinks there)?

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

bar noun [ C ] (LONG PIECE)

B2 a long, thin, straight piece of metal or wood:

The gorilla rattled the bars of its cage.

B1 a substance that has been made into a solid rectangular shape:

a bar of soap
a chocolate bar

› UK The bar of an electric heater is a long, thin wire in the shape of a spring that is wrapped tightly around a tube. When electricity passes through it, it produces heat and red light.

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

bar noun [ C ] (MUSIC)

› US also measure one of the small equal parts into which a piece of music is divided, containing a fixed number of beats:

Waltzes have three beats in/to the bar (= in each bar).

› US UK bar line a vertical line that divides one bar from another in a written piece of music

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

behind bars

barverb [ T ]

uk ​ /bɑːr/ us ​ /bɑːr/ -rr-

bar verb [ T ] (PREVENT)

› to prevent something or someone from doing something or going somewhere, or to not allow something:

The centre of the town was barred to football supporters.
The incident led to him being barred from the country/barred from entering the country.
I tried to push past her but she barred my way/path (= stood in front of me and prevented me from getting past).

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

barpreposition

uk ​ /bɑːr/ us ​ /bɑːr/ formal

Idiom(s)

be (all) over bar the shouting

the Barnoun [ S, + sing/pl verb ]

uk ​ /bɑːr/ us ​ /bɑːr/

(Definition of “bar” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"bar" in American English

See all translations

barnoun

us ​ /bɑr/

bar noun (POLE)

› [ C ] a strong pole, esp. one made of metal, used as a support, to force something to move, or to block an opening:

He stuck his hand through the bars of the cage

› [ C ] A bar is also any of various small objects having a rectangular shape:

a granola bar

bar noun (DRINKING PLACE)

› [ C ] a place, sometimes within a restaurant, where alcoholic drinks are served, or a long, high table in such a place along which people stand or sit while drinking:

He used to just sit in a bar and listen to jazz.
They sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender.

bar noun (MUSIC)

› [ C ] also measure one of the small equal parts into which a piece of music is divided, containing a fixed number of beats:

He played four bars of music.

› [ C ] also measure A bar is also one of the vertical lines that divide a piece of music into equal parts.

bar noun (LAWYERS)

› [ U ] all lawyers considered as a group:

She passed the Massachusetts bar exam on her first try.

barverb [ T ]

us ​ /bɑr/ -rr-

bar verb [ T ] (PREVENT)

› to prevent someone from doing something or going somewhere:

Protesters tried to break into the building, but the police barred their way.

bar verb [ T ] (POLE)

› to put a strong pole or poles across an opening:

We barred the windows as protection against burglars.

barpreposition

us ​ /bɑr/

bar preposition (EXCEPT)

› except for:

He’s the greatest pitcher of all time, bar none (= no one else is better).

(Definition of “bar” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"bar" in Business English

See all translations

barnoun [ C ]

uk ​ /bɑːr/ us ​

› something that prevents a particular event or development from happening:

a bar (to sth) A lack of formal education does not have to be a bar to success in business and politics.

barverb [ T ]

uk ​ /bɑːr/ us ​ -rr-

› LAW to prevent something or someone from doing something or going somewhere, or to refuse to allow something:

bar sb/sth from (doing) sth Lawyers on both sides have been barred from discussing the case in the press.
The government voted to bar the import of exotic birds.

the barnoun [ S ]

also the Bar uk ​ /bɑːr/ us ​ LAW

› UK the group of barristers (= lawyers who are allowed to argue a case in a higher court), or the profession of such lawyers:

a member of the bar
He was called to the bar (= became a barrister) in 2006.
It has been a privilege to have practised at the Bar for 47 years.

› US all lawyers considered as a group, or the profession of law:

Effectiveness requires that other members of the bar trust your word and credibility.
She was admitted to the bar (= became a lawyer) in her early thirties.

(Definition of “bar” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of “bar”
 
Need a translator?

Translator tool

Get a quick, free translation!

What is the pronunciation of bar?
Browse