1. any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective (Freq. 1) - intolerance is a barrier to understanding • Syn: barrier • Hypernyms: obstacle, obstruction • Hyponyms: ideological barrier, language barrier 2. a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc. • Syn: barricade • Derivationally related forms: barricade (for: barricade) • Hypernyms: barrier