bar1
• noun 1 a long rigid piece of wood, metal, etc. 2 a counter, room, or place where alcoholic drinks or refreshments are served. 3 a small shop or counter serving refreshments or providing a service: a snack bar. 4 a barrier or obstacle. 5 any of the short units into which a piece of music is divided, shown on a score by vertical lines. 6 (the bar) a partition in a court room, now usually imaginary, at which an accused person stands. 7 (the Bar) the profession of barrister. 8 (the Bar) barristers or (N. Amer.) lawyers collectively. 9 Brit. a metal strip added to a medal as an additional distinction. • verb (barred, barring) 1 fasten with a bar or bars. 2 prohibit from doing something or going somewhere. • preposition chiefly Brit. except for. — PHRASES be called (or go) to the Bar Brit. be admitted as a barrister. behind bars in prison. — DERIVATIVES barred adjective. — ORIGIN Old French barre.
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