a fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access 屏障;障碍物 ■(Brit.)a gate at a car park or railway station that controls access by being raised or lowered (英)(车库门口或火车站口控制进入的)升降栏 ■(figurative)a circumstance or obstacle that keeps people or things apart or prevents communication or progress (喻)障碍;隔阂 a language barrier. 语言障碍。 the cultural barriers to economic growth. 妨碍经济发展的文化隔阂。 an attempt to break the 100-mile-an-hour barrier. 试图突破每小时100英里的障碍。
语源
late Middle English (denoting a palisade or fortification defending an entrance): from Old French barriere, of unknown origin; related to barre