barricade
/,bæri'keid/
Definition
Noun:
- A hastily constructed defensive barrier: A barricade is a temporary structure, often built quickly from available materials, used to block a street, passage, or entrance, especially to obstruct the advance of an enemy or opponent.
- A police or security barrier: A barricade is also a barrier set up by authorities (like police) to stop or control traffic, often to catch a fugitive, control a crowd, or conduct inspections.
Verb:
- To block or defend with a barricade: The action of blocking off an area, street, or entrance by building or setting up a barricade.
- To obstruct or prevent access: To make an area impassable or inaccessible by creating a physical barrier.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The protesters built a barricade of overturned cars and debris.
- Police set up a barricade to prevent the crowd from entering the restricted zone.
Verb:
- The rebels barricaded the main road into the city.
- Residents barricaded their doors during the riot.
Advanced Usage
"To barricade oneself in": To shut oneself inside a place and block the entrances for protection or isolation.
- Fearing the intruders, they barricaded themselves in the bedroom.
Figurative use: Used metaphorically to describe creating a non-physical barrier.
- She barricaded her heart against further hurt. (She emotionally closed herself off.)
Variants and Related Words
- Barricading (gerund/noun): The act or process of constructing a barricade.
- The barricading of the streets caused major traffic delays.
Synonyms
- Noun: Barrier, blockade, obstruction, roadblock.
- Verb: Blockade, obstruct, block, seal off.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
- Barricade off: To separate or close an area using a barricade.
- The construction crew barricaded off the dangerous section of the sidewalk.
Related Idioms
- "Man the barricades": To prepare for or engage in a vigorous defense, especially of a principle or cause. (Often used figuratively).
- When free speech is threatened, intellectuals must man the barricades.
Noun
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a barrier (usually thrown up hastily) to impede the advance of an enemy
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they stormed the barricade
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a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc.
Verb
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block off with barricades
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prevent access to by barricading
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The street where the President lives is always barricaded
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render unsuitable for passage
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block the way
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barricade the streets
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stop the busy road
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