a relatively long, evenly shaped piece of some solid substance, as metal or wood, used as a guard or obstruction or for some mechanical purpose

the bars of a cage.

an oblong piece of any solid material

a bar of soap; a candy bar.

the amount of material in a bar.

an ingot, lump, or wedge of gold or silver.

a long ridge of sand, gravel, or other material near or slightly above the surface of the water at or near the mouth of a river or harbor entrance, often constituting an obstruction to navigation.

anything that obstructs, hinders, or impedes; obstacle; barrier

a bar to important legislation.

a counter or place where beverages, esp. liquors, or light meals are served to customers

a snack bar; a milk bar.

a barroom or tavern.

(in a home) a counter, small wagon, or similar piece of furniture for serving food or beverages

a breakfast bar.

the legal profession.

the practicing members of the legal profession in a given community.

any tribunal

the bar of public opinion.

a band or strip

a bar of light.

a railing in a courtroom separating the general public from the part of the room occupied by the judges, jury, attorneys, etc.

a crowbar.

Music .

Also called bar line. the line marking the division between two measures of music.

double bar.

the unit of music contained between two bar lines; measure.

Ballet . barre.

Law .

an objection that nullifies an action or claim.

a stoppage or defeat of an alleged right of action.

Typography . a horizontal stroke of a type character, as of an A, H, t, and sometimes e.

Architecture . (in tracery) a relatively long and slender upright of stone treated as a colonette or molded.

Building Trades .

an iron or steel shape

I-bar.

a muntin.

Military . one of a pair of metal or cloth insignia worn by certain commissioned officers.

bars, the transverse ridges on the roof of the mouth of a horse.

a space between the molar and canine teeth of a horse into which the bit is fitted.

(in a bridle) the mouthpiece connecting the cheeks.

bride 2 ( def. 1 ) .

Heraldry . a horizontal band, narrower than a fess, that crosses the field of an escutcheon.

Obsolete . a gateway capable of being barred.

to equip or fasten with a bar or bars

Bar the door before retiring for the night.

to block by or as if by bars

The police barred the exits in an attempt to prevent the thief's escape.

to prevent or hinder

They barred her entrance to the club.

to exclude or except

He was barred from membership because of his reputation.

to mark with bars, stripes, or bands.

except; omitting; but

bar none.

at bar

Law .

before the court and being tried

a case at bar.

before all the judges of a court

a trial at bar.

behind bars

in jail

We wanted the criminal behind bars.

noun

advantage , aid , help

verb

loosen , open , unfasten , advocate , allow , permit

noun

batten , billet , boom , crossbar , crosspiece , ingot , lever , paling , pig , pole , rail , rib , rule , shaft , slab , spar , spoke , stake , stick , streak , strip , stripe , stroke , barricade , blank wall , block , clog , deterrent , encumbrance , fence , hindrance , hurdle , impediment , obstacle , obstruction , pale , railing , restraint , road block , snag , stop , stumbling block , traverse , wall , alehouse , barroom , beer garden , bistro , canteen , cocktail lounge , drinkery , inn , lounge , pub , public house , rathskeller , saloon , tap , taproom , tavern , watering hole , attorneys , barristers , bench , counsel , counselors , court , courtroom , dock , judgment , judiciary , jurists , law , law court , law practice , lawyers , legal profession , solicitors , tribunal , bloom , rod , barrier , blockage , hamper

verb

barricade , block , blockade , bolt , caulk , clog , close , dam , deadbolt , dike , fasten , fence , jam , latch , lock , plug , seal , secure , trammel , wall , ban , boycott , circumvent , condemn , debar , deny , disallow , discountenance , discourage , eliminate , enjoin , except , exclude , exile , forbid , freeze out , frustrate , hinder , interdict , interfere , keep out , limit , obstruct , ostracize , outlaw , override , preclude , prevent , refuse , reject , restrain , rule out , segregate , shut out , stop , suspend , confine , impede , count out