ba r graph (bar graphs ) N‑COUNT A bar graph is the same as a bar chart . [AM ]
bari|tone /bæ r I toʊn/ (baritones ) N‑COUNT In music, a baritone is a man with a fairly deep singing voice that is lower than that of a tenor but higher than that of a bass.
bar|ium /beə riəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Barium is a soft, silvery-white metal.
bark /bɑː r k/ (barks , barking , barked )
1 VERB When a dog barks , it makes a short, loud noise, once or several times. □ [V ] Don't let the dogs bark. □ [V + at ] A small dog barked at a seagull he was chasing. ● N‑COUNT Bark is also a noun. □ The Doberman let out a string of roaring barks.
2 VERB If you bark at someone, you shout at them aggressively in a loud, rough voice. □ [V + at ] I didn't mean to bark at you. □ [V n] A policeman held his gun in both hands and barked an order. [Also V with quote]
3 N‑UNCOUNT Bark is the tough material that covers the outside of a tree.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone's bark is worse than their bite , you mean that they seem much more unpleasant or hostile than they really are. [INFORMAL ] □ She can be a bit tetchy but her bark is worse than her bite.
5 to be barking up the wrong tree → see tree
bar|keep|er /bɑː r kiːpə r / (barkeepers ) N‑COUNT A barkeeper is someone who serves drinks behind a bar. [AM ]
ba rk|ing ma d ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is barking mad , you mean that they are insane or are acting very strangely. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The builder looked at me as though I was barking mad.
bar|ley /bɑː r li/ N‑UNCOUNT Barley is a grain that is used to make food, beer, and whisky. □ …fields of ripening wheat and barley.
ba r|ley sug|ar N‑UNCOUNT Barley sugar is a sweet made from boiled sugar.
ba r|ley wa|ter N‑UNCOUNT Barley water is a drink made from barley. It is sometimes flavoured with orange or lemon.
bar|maid /bɑː r me I d/ (barmaids ) N‑COUNT A barmaid is a woman who serves drinks behind a bar. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use bartender
bar|man /bɑː r mən/ (barmen ) N‑COUNT A barman is a man who serves drinks behind a bar. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use bartender
bar mitz|vah /bɑː r m I tsvə/ (bar mitzvahs ) N‑COUNT A bar mitzvah is a ceremony that takes place on the thirteenth birthday of a Jewish boy, after which he is regarded as an adult.
bar|my /bɑː r mi/ (barmier , barmiest ) ADJ If you say that someone or something is barmy , you mean that they are slightly crazy or very foolish. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a barmy idea.
barn /bɑː r n/ (barns ) N‑COUNT A barn is a building on a farm in which crops or animal food can be kept.
bar|na|cle /bɑː r n I k ə l/ (barnacles ) N‑COUNT Barnacles are small shellfish that fix themselves tightly to rocks and the bottoms of boats.
ba rn dance (barn dances ) N‑COUNT A barn dance is a social event people go to for country dancing.
barn|storm /bɑː r nstɔː r m/ (barnstorms , barnstorming , barnstormed ) VERB When people such as politicians or performers barnstorm , they travel around the country making speeches or giving shows. [AM ] □ [V prep/adv] He barnstormed across the nation, rallying the people to the cause. □ [V n] The president travels thousands of miles as he barnstorms the country. □ [V -ing] …his barnstorming campaign for the governorship of Louisiana. [Also V ]
barn|storm|ing /bɑː r nstɔː r m I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A barnstorming performance is full of energy and very exciting to watch. [BRIT , APPROVAL ] □ They delivered a barnstorming performance of the band's biggest hits.
barn|yard /bɑː r njɑː r d/ (barnyards ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] On a farm, the barnyard is the area in front of or next to a barn.
ba|rom|eter /bərɒ m I tə r / (barometers )
1 N‑COUNT A barometer is an instrument that measures air pressure and shows when the weather is changing.
2 N‑COUNT If something is a barometer of a particular situation, it indicates how things are changing or how things are likely to develop. □ [+ of ] In past presidential elections, Missouri has been a barometer of the rest of the country.
bar|on /bæ rən/ (barons )
1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A baron is a man who is a member of the lowest rank of the nobility. [BRIT ] □ …their stepfather, Baron Michael Distemple.
2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] You can use baron to refer to someone who controls a large amount of a particular industry or activity and who is therefore extremely powerful. □ …the battle against the drug barons. □ …the British press barons.
bar|on|ess /bæ rənes/ (baronesses ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A baroness is a woman who is a member of the lowest rank of the nobility, or who is the wife of a baron. [BRIT ] □ …Baroness Blatch.
bar|on|et /bæ rən I t/ (baronets ) N‑COUNT A baronet is a man who has been made a knight. When a baronet dies, the title is passed on to his son. [BRIT ]
ba|ro|nial /bəroʊ niəl/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a house or room as baronial , you mean that it is large, impressive, and old-fashioned in appearance, and looks as if it belongs to someone from the upper classes. □ …baronial manor houses.