barrier

Noun
  1. A structure or object that impedes free movement (synset 102799782)
    is a type of: impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor - any structure that makes progress difficult
    subtypes:
    • balusters, balustrade, banister, bannister, handrail - a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
    • barricade - a barrier (usually thrown up hastily) to impede the advance of an enemy
    • breakwater, bulwark, groin, groyne, jetty, mole, seawall - a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
    • bulwark - a fencelike structure around a deck (usually plural)
    • crash barrier - a strong protective barrier that is erected around a racetrack or in the middle of a dual-lane highway in order to reduce the likelihood of severe accidents
    • dam, dike, dyke - a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
    • fence, fencing - a barrier that serves to enclose an area
    • fender, wing - a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud
    • grate, grating - a barrier that has parallel or crossed bars blocking a passage but admitting air
    • hurdle - a light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races
    • movable barrier - a barrier that can be moved to allow passage
    • rail, railing - a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
    • revetment - a barrier against explosives
    • barricade, roadblock - a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc.
    • starting gate, starting stall - a movable barrier on the starting line of a race course
  2. Any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective (synset 105698721)
    "intolerance is a barrier to understanding"
    is a type of: obstacle, obstruction - something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
    subtypes:
    • color barrier - the barrier preventing Blacks from participating in various activities with whites
    • ideological barrier - a barrier to cooperation or interaction resulting from conflicting ideologies
    • language barrier - barrier to communication resulting from speaking different languages
    same as: roadblock
  3. Anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access (synset 109237488)
    is a type of: mechanism - a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function
    subtypes:
    • bar - a submerged (or partly submerged) ridge in a river or along a shore
    • blood-brain barrier - a mechanism that creates a barrier between brain tissues and circulating blood; serves to protect the central nervous system
    • curtain - any barrier to communication or vision

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