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B2 noun #20 most common 12 min read

barriers

Top 20

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips barriers in 30 Seconds

Explanation barriers in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 'barriers' as things like walls or fences. Imagine you are walking and you see a big wall. You cannot go through it. That wall is a barrier. It stops you. We use this word for things that say 'Stop!' or 'You cannot pass.' For example, a gate at a school is a barrier. It keeps cars out so children are safe. In simple English, a barrier is a big 'No' that you can see. You might see barriers at a park or on a road where people are working. They are there to keep you safe or to tell you where to go. Remember: Barrier = Something that stops you from moving forward.

At the A2 level, 'barriers' can be physical things like fences, but they can also be simple rules. For example, if you don't have a ticket for a train, the ticket gate is a barrier. It won't open. This is a physical barrier that works with a rule. You might also hear about 'language barriers.' This is when you want to talk to someone, but you speak English and they speak Spanish. You cannot understand each other. The different languages are like a wall between you. This is a 'language barrier.' It is not a real wall, but it stops you from communicating. So, barriers are things that make it difficult to do what you want to do.

At the B1 level, 'barriers' are often discussed in terms of challenges and solutions. You might encounter 'barriers to learning,' such as not having a quiet place to study or not having a good internet connection. These aren't physical walls, but they are real problems that stop you from succeeding. In business, people talk about 'trade barriers,' which are rules or taxes that make it hard for countries to sell things to each other. When you use this word, you are often looking for a way to 'overcome' or 'remove' the barrier. It implies that there is a goal you want to reach, but something is standing in your way. It is a more formal and precise word than 'problem.'

At the B2 level, 'barriers' is a key term for discussing social, economic, and psychological issues. You should understand that barriers are often systemic. This means they are built into the way society works. For example, 'barriers to entry' in a market are the high costs or strict regulations that prevent new companies from starting. You will also hear about 'social barriers,' which are the invisible lines between different groups of people based on class, race, or gender. At this level, you should be able to use collocations like 'breaking down barriers' or 'encountering significant barriers.' The word suggests a complex obstacle that requires strategy and effort to bypass or dismantle.

At the C1 level, the word 'barriers' is used to analyze deep-seated structural and cognitive impediments. You might discuss 'epistemological barriers,' which are the preconceived notions or ways of thinking that prevent someone from understanding a new concept. In professional environments, you'll analyze 'institutional barriers' that hinder organizational change or 'accessibility barriers' in urban planning. The focus at this level is on the nuance of the barrier—is it permeable, meaning some things can get through, or is it absolute? You should be comfortable using the word in abstract academic contexts, such as 'the barriers to political mobilization in digital spaces,' where the barrier is a complex mix of technology, law, and human behavior.

At the C2 level, 'barriers' becomes a versatile tool for sophisticated discourse on philosophy, science, and high-level strategy. You might explore the 'blood-brain barrier' in a medical thesis, discussing its selective permeability and the challenges it poses for drug delivery. In sociology, you might critique the 'invisible barriers' of meritocracy that mask systemic inequality. The word is used to describe the limits of human knowledge or the boundaries of physical laws, such as the 'event horizon' of a black hole acting as a final barrier to information. At this level, you master the metaphorical power of the word, using it to describe the subtle, often unacknowledged forces that shape human interaction and global systems with absolute precision and rhetorical flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

barriers in 30 Seconds

Barriers are obstacles that block progress, whether they are physical walls, restrictive rules, or social challenges like language differences.
The word is commonly used in business (trade barriers), science (blood-brain barrier), and social contexts (breaking down cultural barriers).
Key verbs used with barriers include 'overcome,' 'remove,' 'erect,' and 'break down,' highlighting the effort needed to bypass them.
Understanding barriers helps identify what is preventing success, allowing for strategic planning to dismantle or navigate around these impediments.

The term barriers refers to any object, rule, or circumstance that blocks progress or prevents access. While the word originally described physical structures like walls or fences, its modern usage has expanded significantly into the realms of psychology, sociology, and business. When we talk about barriers, we are discussing the friction points in human experience—the things that make a journey harder or a goal more distant. In a physical sense, a barrier might be a toll booth on a highway or a mountain range between two valleys. In a metaphorical sense, it could be a lack of education, a language difference, or even a deep-seated fear of failure. Understanding barriers is essential because it allows us to identify what needs to be 'broken down' or 'overcome' to achieve success.

Physical Barriers: These are tangible obstacles you can touch. Examples include a security gate at a factory, a coral reef that prevents ships from reaching the shore, or a soundproof wall in a recording studio. They are designed to control movement or sound.

The construction crew installed concrete barriers along the highway to protect workers from oncoming traffic.

Systemic Barriers: These are rules, laws, or social structures that unfairly disadvantage certain groups. For instance, high tuition fees can be a barrier to higher education for low-income students, or complex bureaucracy can be a barrier to starting a new business.

In interpersonal communication, we often encounter 'language barriers.' This happens when two people want to share ideas but cannot because they do not speak the same language. This is one of the most common uses of the word in our globalized world. Similarly, 'psychological barriers' refer to internal struggles, such as a lack of confidence, that prevent a person from reaching their full potential. Whether the barrier is a literal wall or a figurative rule, the core concept remains the same: it is something that stands in the way of where you are and where you want to be. People use this word when they want to highlight a problem that needs a solution or an obstacle that requires effort to remove.

Breaking through the sound barrier was a major milestone in aviation history.

Communication Barriers: Factors like noise, cultural differences, or technical jargon that make it difficult for people to understand each other clearly.

Cultural barriers can sometimes lead to misunderstandings in international business negotiations.

The government is working to remove trade barriers to encourage more export activity.

Fear of failure is often the biggest barrier to personal growth and innovation.

Using the word barriers effectively requires understanding its common verb pairings and the contexts in which it appears. Because a barrier is an obstacle, the verbs we use with it usually describe either the creation of the obstacle or the process of dealing with it. Common verbs include 'create,' 'erect,' 'install,' 'face,' 'encounter,' 'overcome,' 'remove,' 'break down,' and 'dissolve.' For example, you might say a company 'erected barriers' to prevent competitors from stealing their ideas, or a community 'broke down barriers' by hosting a multicultural festival. The plural form 'barriers' is much more common than the singular 'barrier' when discussing social or systemic issues, as these problems are rarely caused by just one thing.

Overcoming Barriers: This phrase is used when someone successfully deals with a problem. 'She had to overcome many social barriers to become the first female CEO of the company.'

The new software aims to eliminate technical barriers for elderly users.

Breaking Down Barriers: This is a very common idiomatic expression meaning to improve understanding or communication between groups. 'The workshop helped break down the barriers between the management and the staff.'

In academic writing, 'barriers' is often followed by the preposition 'to.' You describe 'barriers to success,' 'barriers to entry,' or 'barriers to communication.' This structure helps specify exactly what is being blocked. In scientific contexts, you might read about 'blood-brain barriers' or 'permeability barriers,' which are biological structures that control what substances can pass through. In these cases, the word is used very precisely to describe a filter or a protective layer. When writing, try to vary your verbs to match the intensity of the situation. 'Removing' a barrier sounds like a simple administrative task, while 'shattering' or 'smashing' a barrier implies a more forceful and revolutionary change.

High interest rates act as barriers to investment for small business owners.

Language Barriers: The most common collocation. 'Despite the language barriers, the two travelers managed to share a meal and a laugh.'

The police set up barriers to keep the crowd away from the parade route.

We must identify the systemic barriers that prevent equal access to healthcare.

The mountain range serves as a natural barrier between the two neighboring countries.

You will encounter the word barriers in a wide variety of real-world settings, from the evening news to corporate boardrooms. In news reports, it is frequently used in stories about international relations, trade, and social justice. Journalists might talk about 'trade barriers' like tariffs that make it expensive for countries to sell goods to each other. They also use it when reporting on protests or public events where 'crowd control barriers' are used to manage large groups of people. In these contexts, the word carries a sense of conflict or management—either something is being blocked on purpose, or people are trying to get past a block.

In Business and Economics: Economists use the term 'barriers to entry' to describe why it is hard for new companies to start competing in a specific industry. For example, the high cost of building airplanes is a barrier to entry for the aviation industry.

The CEO discussed the need to lower internal barriers to innovation within the company.

In Science and Medicine: Doctors talk about the 'blood-brain barrier,' which is a protective layer that stops harmful substances in the blood from entering the brain. In environmental science, 'barrier islands' are long, thin islands that protect the mainland from storms.

In the world of technology and design, 'accessibility barriers' is a critical term. This refers to features of a website or a building that make it difficult for people with disabilities to use them. For example, a website that doesn't work with screen readers has an accessibility barrier for blind users. In social contexts, you will hear about 'glass ceilings' as a type of invisible barrier that prevents women or minorities from reaching top-level positions. This metaphorical use is very powerful because it describes something that you can see through (the goal is visible) but cannot pass through (the path is blocked). Whether you are listening to a podcast about psychology or watching a documentary about history, 'barriers' is a keyword for identifying the challenges humans face.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, acting as a massive natural barrier.

In Social Activism: Activists often talk about 'breaking down barriers' to equality, referring to the removal of discriminatory laws or social prejudices.

The language barrier made it difficult for the refugees to access essential services.

The athlete overcame significant physical barriers to win the gold medal.

Economic barriers often prevent talented students from attending prestigious universities.

While barriers is a versatile word, learners often confuse it with similar terms like 'borders,' 'limits,' or 'boundaries.' A 'border' is a specific line separating two geographic areas, like countries. You wouldn't say 'the barrier between France and Spain' unless you were talking about a literal wall; you would say 'the border.' A 'limit' is a point beyond which something cannot or may not go, like a speed limit. A 'boundary' is often used for personal space or the edges of a property. A 'barrier' is unique because it emphasizes the *obstruction*—it is something that stops you from moving through it, rather than just marking where one thing ends and another begins.

Barrier vs. Obstacle: These are very close in meaning. However, a 'barrier' often implies a more permanent or structural block (like a wall or a law), while an 'obstacle' can be anything that gets in your way temporarily (like a fallen tree or a difficult question).

Incorrect: We need to cross the barrier into the next country. (Use 'border' instead).

Preposition Errors: Learners sometimes use 'of' when they should use 'to.' It is 'a barrier to success,' not 'a barrier of success.' The barrier is blocking the path *to* the goal.

Another common mistake is using 'barrier' when you mean 'filter.' A barrier stops everything, whereas a filter lets some things through. If you are talking about a screen that only lets small particles pass, 'filter' is the better word. However, in biology, some 'barriers' (like the blood-brain barrier) actually act as very selective filters, which can be confusing! Finally, remember that 'barriers' is plural. If you are talking about multiple different problems, use the plural. If you are talking about one specific wall or one specific rule, use the singular 'barrier.' Mixing these up can make your writing feel less precise.

Incorrect: There are many barrier to learning English. (Use 'barriers' for plural).

Confusing with 'Hurdle': A 'hurdle' is something you jump over. A 'barrier' is something you have to go through or remove. Use 'hurdle' for small, sequential challenges.

The lack of funding is a major barrier to scientific research.

The police used metal barriers to cordon off the crime scene.

We must work together to remove the barriers that divide our community.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are similar to barriers but have slightly different nuances. 'Obstacle' is the most common synonym; it refers to anything that stands in the way of progress. 'Hurdle' is often used for a series of difficulties you must overcome one by one, like the steps in a legal process. 'Impediment' is a more formal word, often used in medical or legal contexts (like a 'speech impediment'). 'Blockade' is specifically used for a military or political action to stop goods or people from entering or leaving a place. 'Restriction' refers to a rule that limits what you can do, which can act as a barrier.

Barrier vs. Obstacle: A barrier is often a structural or systemic thing (a wall, a law). An obstacle can be more random or temporary (a rock in the road, a bad mood).

The heavy snow was a temporary obstacle for the delivery drivers.

Barrier vs. Hurdle: Think of a hurdle as something you jump over and keep running. Think of a barrier as something you have to stop and dismantle or find a way around.

In more poetic or literary contexts, you might use words like 'shackles' or 'chains' to describe metaphorical barriers that imprison someone's potential. In business, you might hear about 'bottlenecks,' which are specific points in a process where everything slows down because the 'path' is too narrow. For example, if only one person is allowed to sign contracts, that person becomes a bottleneck (and a barrier to fast progress). Choosing the right synonym depends on whether you want to emphasize the physical nature of the block, the difficulty of overcoming it, or the formal rules that created it. By using a variety of these words, you can make your descriptions more vivid and precise.

The legal hurdles were finally cleared, allowing the project to proceed.

Comparison Table

Barrier: Structural, often permanent, blocks passage.
Obstacle: General term for anything in the way.
Hurdle: One of many challenges to be jumped over.
Impediment: Formal, something that slows or hinders.

The trade embargo acted as a severe barrier to the country's economic growth.

The new regulations created unnecessary red tape, acting as a barrier to small businesses.

A lack of confidence can be a more significant deterrent than any physical barrier.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In medieval times, a 'barrier' was the name for the fence that separated two knights during a jousting tournament.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈbæriəz/

US /ˈbæriərz/

The stress is on the first syllable: BAR-ri-ers.

Rhymes With

Carriers Marriers Tarriers Harriers

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'berries' (which sounds like the fruit).
Forgetting the 's' at the end when talking about multiple obstacles.
Making the 'a' sound too long like in 'bar'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and textbooks.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of prepositions like 'to'.

Speaking 3/5

Useful for explaining problems.

Listening 3/5

Often heard in formal discussions.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Wall Stop Problem Rule Fence

Learn Next

Obstacle Impediment Hurdle Systemic Dismantle

Advanced

Paradigm Friction Permeability Infrastructure Bureaucracy

Grammar to Know

Countable Nouns

There are three main barriers to this project.

Preposition 'To'

A barrier to entry (not 'of' entry).

Zero Article for Generalization

Barriers can be difficult to overcome.

Gerunds after 'To'

A barrier to achieving our goals.

Passive Voice

Barriers were erected by the local police.

Examples by Level

The red fence is a barrier.

La clôture rouge est une barrière.

Simple subject + verb + complement.

Stop at the barrier.

Arrêtez-vous à la barrière.

Imperative sentence.

The wall is a big barrier.

Le mur est une grande barrière.

Use of adjective 'big' to describe the noun.

There are barriers on the road.

Il y a des barrières sur la route.

Plural form 'barriers'.

The gate is a barrier for cars.

Le portail est une barrière pour les voitures.

Preposition 'for' shows purpose.

I cannot go past the barrier.

Je ne peux pas passer la barrière.

Modal verb 'cannot' for inability.

The police put up a barrier.

La police a installé une barrière.

Phrasal verb 'put up'.

This barrier keeps us safe.

Cette barrière nous garde en sécurité.

Present simple tense.

Language can be a barrier between people.

La langue peut être une barrière entre les gens.

Metaphorical use of 'barrier'.

They used barriers to control the crowd.

Ils ont utilisé des barrières pour contrôler la foule.

Infinitive of purpose 'to control'.

The mountain is a natural barrier.

La montagne est une barrière naturelle.

Adjective 'natural' modifying 'barrier'.

We need to remove these barriers.

Nous devons enlever ces barrières.

Verb 'remove' commonly used with 'barriers'.

The price is a barrier for many buyers.

Le prix est un obstacle pour de nombreux acheteurs.

Economic use of the word.

He jumped over the barrier.

Il a sauté par-dessus la barrière.

Preposition 'over' showing movement.

The security barrier opened slowly.

La barrière de sécurité s'est ouverte lentement.

Adverb 'slowly' modifying the verb.

There are many barriers to education.

Il y a de nombreux obstacles à l'éducation.

Preposition 'to' follows 'barriers'.

The government is trying to reduce trade barriers.

Le gouvernement essaie de réduire les barrières commerciales.

Compound noun 'trade barriers'.

Lack of confidence is a major barrier to success.

Le manque de confiance est un obstacle majeur à la réussite.

Abstract noun as a barrier.

We must break down the barriers between our cultures.

Nous devons briser les barrières entre nos cultures.

Idiom 'break down barriers'.

The new law creates barriers for small businesses.

La nouvelle loi crée des obstacles pour les petites entreprises.

Verb 'creates' shows the origin of the barrier.

Physical barriers prevent wheelchair access here.

Des barrières physiques empêchent l'accès aux fauteuils roulants ici.

Specific context of accessibility.

She overcame many barriers to finish her degree.

Elle a surmonté de nombreux obstacles pour terminer son diplôme.

Verb 'overcome' is a key collocation.

Noise can be a barrier to effective communication.

Le bruit peut être un obstacle à une communication efficace.

Gerund 'communication' after 'to'.

The river acted as a barrier to the invading army.

Le fleuve a servi de barrière à l'armée envahissante.

Phrasal verb 'acted as'.

The high cost of entry acts as a barrier to new competitors.

Le coût d'entrée élevé fait office de barrière pour les nouveaux concurrents.

Business term 'barrier to entry'.

We need to identify the systemic barriers within the organization.

Nous devons identifier les barrières systémiques au sein de l'organisation.

Adjective 'systemic' implies deep-rooted issues.

The sound barrier was first broken in 1947.

Le mur du son a été franchi pour la première fois en 1947.

Scientific term 'sound barrier'.

Cultural barriers often lead to misunderstandings in negotiations.

Les barrières culturelles mènent souvent à des malentendus lors des négociations.

Plural 'barriers' used for general concepts.

The coral reef provides a natural barrier against storm surges.

Le récif corallien constitue une barrière naturelle contre les ondes de tempête.

Preposition 'against' shows protection.

Economic barriers prevent many talented students from attending university.

Les barrières économiques empêchent de nombreux étudiants talentueux d'aller à l'université.

Verb 'prevent... from' pattern.

The police erected barriers to keep the protesters away from the building.

La police a érigé des barrières pour tenir les manifestants à l'écart du bâtiment.

Formal verb 'erected'.

The lack of infrastructure is a significant barrier to regional development.

Le manque d'infrastructures est un obstacle important au développement régional.

Noun phrase 'barrier to development'.

The blood-brain barrier is highly selective in what it allows to pass.

La barrière hémato-encéphalique est très sélective dans ce qu'elle laisse passer.

Technical biological term.

Institutional barriers often stifle innovation in large corporations.

Les barrières institutionnelles étouffent souvent l'innovation dans les grandes entreprises.

Verb 'stifle' pairs well with 'barriers'.

The glass ceiling remains a formidable barrier for women in tech.

Le plafond de verre reste une barrière redoutable pour les femmes dans la technologie.

Metaphorical 'glass ceiling' as a barrier.

Language barriers can exacerbate feelings of isolation among immigrants.

Les barrières linguistiques peuvent exacerber les sentiments d'isolement chez les immigrés.

Advanced verb 'exacerbate'.

The trade embargo served as an insurmountable barrier to economic recovery.

L'embargo commercial a servi de barrière insurmontable à la reprise économique.

Adjective 'insurmountable'.

Psychological barriers, such as fear of failure, can be the hardest to dismantle.

Les barrières psychologiques, comme la peur de l'échec, peuvent être les plus difficiles à démanteler.

Verb 'dismantle' used for abstract barriers.

The design of the app creates unnecessary cognitive barriers for new users.

La conception de l'application crée des barrières cognitives inutiles pour les nouveaux utilisateurs.

Adjective 'cognitive' for mental effort.

Urban planners are working to remove physical barriers to social integration.

Les urbanistes travaillent à supprimer les barrières physiques à l'intégration sociale.

Context of social engineering.

The event horizon represents the ultimate barrier to our observation of the universe.

L'horizon des événements représente la barrière ultime à notre observation de l'univers.

Philosophical/Scientific use.

We must interrogate the structural barriers that perpetuate systemic inequality.

Nous devons interroger les barrières structurelles qui perpétuent l'inégalité systémique.

Academic verb 'interrogate'.

The sheer complexity of the legal framework acts as a barrier to justice.

La complexité même du cadre juridique fait obstacle à la justice.

Noun phrase 'barrier to justice'.

Technological barriers to entry have diminished, but brand loyalty remains a hurdle.

Les barrières technologiques à l'entrée ont diminué, mais la fidélité à la marque reste un obstacle.

Contrast between 'barrier' and 'hurdle'.

The poet explores the linguistic barriers that define our subjective realities.

Le poète explore les barrières linguistiques qui définissent nos réalités subjectives.

Abstract literary context.

The permeability of the barrier determines the rate of osmotic pressure.

La perméabilité de la barrière détermine le taux de pression osmotique.

Scientific precision.

Bureaucratic barriers are often intentionally designed to discourage applicants.

Les barrières bureaucratiques sont souvent délibérément conçues pour décourager les candidats.

Adverb 'intentionally' modifying 'designed'.

The ideological barriers between the two factions seem increasingly entrenched.

Les barrières idéologiques entre les deux factions semblent de plus en plus ancrées.

Adjective 'entrenched' for fixed barriers.

Common Collocations

Trade barriers

Language barrier

Break down barriers

Physical barriers

Barriers to entry

Overcome barriers

Remove barriers

Sound barrier

Cultural barriers

Safety barrier

Common Phrases

Breaking the barrier

— Going beyond a previously established limit or record.

The athlete is close to breaking the four-minute mile barrier.

Behind the barrier

— Being on the restricted or protected side of an obstacle.

The spectators were kept safely behind the barrier.

Face a barrier

— To encounter an obstacle that stops progress.

Many refugees face a barrier when trying to find employment.

Identify barriers

— To find out what is causing a problem or delay.

We need to identify the barriers to learning in this classroom.

Invisible barrier

— A social or psychological block that is not physically seen.

There is an invisible barrier between the two departments.

Entry barrier

— Something that makes it hard to join a group or market.

The entrance exam is a major entry barrier for the university.

Natural barrier

— A geographical feature that blocks movement.

The ocean is a natural barrier that protected the island for centuries.

Protective barrier

— Something designed to keep harm away.

Sunscreen acts as a protective barrier for your skin.

Communication barrier

— Anything that prevents clear understanding.

Technical jargon can be a communication barrier for clients.

Systemic barrier

— A problem built into the rules of a society or organization.

We must address the systemic barriers to voting.

Often Confused With

barriers vs Border

A border is a line between countries; a barrier is an obstacle that stops you.

barriers vs Boundary

A boundary marks the edge of something; a barrier blocks the way.

barriers vs Limit

A limit is a maximum amount; a barrier is something you must get past.

Idioms & Expressions

"Break the ice"

— To remove the initial social barrier when meeting someone new.

A quick joke helped break the ice at the meeting.

Informal

"Glass ceiling"

— An invisible barrier that prevents certain groups from rising to top positions.

She finally broke through the glass ceiling to become a partner.

Professional

"Run into a brick wall"

— To encounter an insurmountable barrier that stops all progress.

I tried to get a loan, but I ran into a brick wall at the bank.

Informal

"Level the playing field"

— To remove barriers so that everyone has an equal chance of success.

The new grants aim to level the playing field for poor students.

Neutral

"Bridge the gap"

— To overcome a barrier or difference between two things.

The new program helps bridge the gap between school and work.

Neutral

"Open the floodgates"

— To remove a barrier that was holding back a large amount of something.

The new law opened the floodgates for foreign investment.

Metaphorical

"Jump through hoops"

— To have to overcome many small, annoying barriers to get something done.

I had to jump through hoops just to get a permit.

Informal

"Clear the way"

— To remove barriers so that something can happen.

The court's decision cleared the way for the merger.

Neutral

"Draw a line in the sand"

— To create a barrier or limit that must not be crossed.

The manager drew a line in the sand regarding late arrivals.

Idiomatic

"Build bridges, not walls"

— To focus on connection rather than creating barriers.

The diplomat's goal was to build bridges between the two nations.

Poetic

Easily Confused

barriers vs Hurdle

Both mean obstacles.

A hurdle is something you jump over in a series; a barrier is a more solid block.

He cleared the final hurdle of the exam.

barriers vs Obstruction

Both mean something in the way.

Obstruction is often used for physical blocks in pipes or roads.

The police removed the obstruction from the highway.

barriers vs Barricade

Both are physical blocks.

A barricade is usually temporary and built quickly for defense or control.

The protesters built a barricade in the street.

barriers vs Impediment

Both mean a hindrance.

Impediment is more formal and often refers to things that slow you down.

A speech impediment makes talking difficult.

barriers vs Deterrent

Both stop an action.

A deterrent stops you by making you afraid or worried about the cost.

High fines are a deterrent to speeding.

Sentence Patterns

The [Noun] is a barrier.

The fence is a barrier.

There are [Adjective] barriers.

There are many barriers.

A barrier to [Noun/Gerund].

A barrier to success.

Overcome the [Adjective] barriers.

Overcome the social barriers.

Identify systemic barriers to [Noun].

Identify systemic barriers to education.

Break down the barriers between [A] and [B].

Break down the barriers between management and staff.

The [Noun] acts as a formidable barrier.

The legal framework acts as a formidable barrier.

Interrogate the barriers that [Verb].

Interrogate the barriers that prevent progress.

Word Family

Nouns

Barrier

Barriers

Barricade

Verbs

Bar

Barricade

Adjectives

Barred

Barricaded

Obstacle

Hurdle

Blockade

Fence

Limit

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in academic, business, and news English.

Common Mistakes

The barrier between the two countries is long. → The border between the two countries is long.
Use 'border' for geographic lines; use 'barrier' for an obstacle.
There are many barrier to success. → There are many barriers to success.
Don't forget the 's' for plural count nouns.
A barrier of communication. → A barrier to communication.
The preposition 'to' is the standard pairing for barriers.
He jumped the barrier of the fence. → He jumped over the barrier.
Use 'over' to describe moving across a physical barrier.
The company created a barrier for the competition. → The company created barriers to entry for the competition.
In business, 'barriers to entry' is the standard phrase.

Tips

Use Collocations

Pair 'barriers' with verbs like 'erect,' 'dismantle,' or 'circumvent' to sound more like a native speaker.

Preposition 'To'

Always use 'to' after barrier when specifying the goal: 'barriers to education,' 'barriers to trade.'

Social Context

When discussing social issues, 'barriers' is a powerful word to describe inequality.

Stress the First Syllable

Remember it's BAR-ri-ers, not bar-RI-ers.

Formal Tone

Use 'barrier' instead of 'problem' or 'block' in essays and reports.

Business English

In business, 'barriers to entry' is a key concept you will hear often.

Invisible Barriers

Use the term for things you can't see, like fear or lack of knowledge.

Physical Safety

In construction, 'barriers' are essential for keeping people safe from danger.

Break Down Barriers

This is the most common idiom for improving relationships between groups.

Technical Use

In biology, look for 'barriers' as filters that protect organs like the brain.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a BAR. A bar is a long piece of metal. If you put many BARS together, you make a BARRIER that stops people.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright yellow 'Caution' tape stretched across a doorway. This is a visual barrier telling you not to enter.

Word Web

Wall Fence Rule Language Success Overcome Remove Access

Challenge

Write three sentences about a barrier you faced this week and how you plan to overcome it.

Word Origin

The word comes from the Old French word 'barriere', which originated from 'barre' (meaning a bar or rail). It entered the English language in the late 14th century.

Original meaning: A physical fence or railing used to stop people or animals.

Indo-European (via Latin and French).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'social barriers' as it can be a sensitive political topic.

The term is heavily used in corporate 'diversity and inclusion' training to discuss bias.

The Great Barrier Reef (Australia) Breaking the Sound Barrier (Chuck Yeager) The Berlin Wall (a famous historical barrier)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Construction

Safety barrier
Concrete barrier
Traffic barrier
Erect a barrier

Business

Trade barriers
Barriers to entry
Market barriers
Remove barriers

Social Issues

Language barrier
Cultural barrier
Social barriers
Break down barriers

Science

Sound barrier
Blood-brain barrier
Natural barrier
Permeable barrier

Sports

Track barriers
Safety barriers
Crowd barriers
Jump the barrier

Conversation Starters

"What do you think is the biggest barrier to learning a new language?"

"Have you ever faced a physical barrier that stopped you from going somewhere?"

"How can companies break down barriers between different departments?"

"Do you think social media creates more barriers or removes them?"

"What are some common barriers to success for young people today?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you had to overcome a significant barrier in your life. What did you do?

If you could remove one systemic barrier in the world, what would it be and why?

Write about the 'invisible barriers' you see in your own community or city.

How does a language barrier change the way you interact with people?

Reflect on a psychological barrier you have. How does it affect your daily decisions?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'barrier' is very often used metaphorically. It can refer to rules, language differences, social status, or psychological fears that prevent progress.

A language barrier is the difficulty in communication between people who do not speak the same language. It acts like a wall between them.

It is more natural to say 'barrier to success.' The preposition 'to' indicates the goal that is being blocked.

It means traveling faster than the speed of sound. When an aircraft does this, it creates a loud noise called a sonic boom.

These are the obstacles that make it hard for a new company to enter a market, such as high costs, patents, or government regulations.

No, you can use the singular 'barrier' for one specific obstacle. However, when talking about social issues, the plural is more common.

A fence is a specific type of physical barrier made of wood or wire. A barrier is a general term for anything that blocks passage.

You overcome a barrier by finding a way around it, through it, or by removing it entirely through effort or strategy.

A natural barrier is a geographical feature like a mountain range, ocean, or desert that makes travel or movement difficult.

Systemic barriers are obstacles that are part of the way a system (like a government or company) is organized, often leading to unfairness.