barricade

1 of 2

verb

bar·​ri·​cade ˈber-ə-ˌkād 

ˈba-rə-;

ˌber-ə-ˈkād,

ˌba-rə-

barricaded; barricading

transitive verb

1

: to block off or stop up with a barricade

barricade a street

2

: to prevent access to by means of a barricade

barricade

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an obstruction or rampart thrown up across a way or passage to check the advance of the enemy

b

: barrier sense 1a

2

: barrier sense 3, obstacle

3

barricades plural : a field of combat or dispute

Synonyms

Verb

• bar
• block (off)
• blockade
• close (off)
• guard
• wall (off)

Noun

• barrier
• fence
• hedge
• wall

Examples of barricade in a Sentence

Verb

The police barricaded the crime scene.

the city barricaded the flooded streets to through traffic

Noun

The enemy broke through the barricade.

Police erected barricades to keep the crowds from approaching the crime scene.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Paris officials have encouraged people to work from home during the Games, as large portions of the city center will be barricaded off, only accessible with an event ticket or QR code for residents. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2024

Scores of police officers converged on UC Irvine on Wednesday as a pro-Palestinian demonstration escalated, with protesters occupying and barricading the Physical Sciences Lecture Hall, which is near their encampment. —Allen J. Schaben, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024

Noun

Typically, following the conclusion of Hornets’ games, security has barricades in place outside the loading dock area to keep pedestrians and fans at bay, particularly when a car is leaving. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024

As violence began to flare at the barricades of the pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA last week, Sean Tabibian trained his camera on the police. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Middle French, noun derivative of barricade barricade entry 2

Noun

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, from barrique "barrel," a typical component of barricades (borrowed from Gascon barriqua, probably going back to pre-Latin *barrīca) + -ade -ade

First Known Use

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing barricade

• barricade oneself

Kids Definition

barricade

1 of 2 verb

bar·​ri·​cade ˈbar-ə-ˌkād 

ˌbar-ə-ˈkād

barricaded; barricading

: to block off with a barricade

barricade

2 of 2 noun

: a barrier usually made in a hurry for protection against attack or for blocking the way