ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bar

n. · v. · prep.
US //ˈbɑɹ// UK //bˈɑː// bar
  1. 1 drinking establishment (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a place where people buy and drink alcoholic beverages.

    a commercial establishment or counter where alcoholic beverages are served for consumption on the premises.

    Example

    We met at a small bar near the station for a quick drink before dinner.

    Example

    The hotel bar remains open until midnight for residents, though the main lounge closes much earlier.
  2. 2 solid block (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a solid, rectangular piece of something, like chocolate or soap.

    a solid, typically cuboid or cylindrical mass of a substance.

    Example

    He bought a large bar of dark chocolate to share with his friends.

    Example

    The artisan soap was sold in a heavy bar, wrapped in recycled paper and tied with twine.
Show 8 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 metal/wood rod (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a long, straight piece of metal or wood.

    a rigid, straight length of metal, wood, or other material, often used as a structural component or barrier.

    Example

    The windows were reinforced with iron bars for extra security.

    Example

    The gymnast gripped the horizontal bar firmly before beginning her routine.
  2. 4 the legal profession (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    the profession of being a lawyer, or the exam you must pass to become one.

    the legal profession collectively, or the qualifying examination for admission to practice law.

    Example

    After years of study, she finally passed the bar and became a lawyer.

    Example

    The ethics committee of the state bar association is currently reviewing the conduct of the defence attorney.
    • legal profession
  3. 5 standard or level (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a level of quality or success that people expect.

    a standard or level of expectation against which something is measured.

    Example

    The new smartphone has set a high bar for its competitors.

    Example

    By achieving record profits this quarter, the CEO has raised the bar for the entire executive team.
  4. 6 signal strength (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    the small lines on a phone screen that show how strong the signal is.

    one of several vertical symbols on a digital display indicating signal strength or battery life.

    Example

    I can't make a call right now because I only have one bar of signal.

    Example

    The technician noted that despite having four bars of signal, the data transfer rate remained unacceptably slow.

  5. 7 music section (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    a small section of music, separated by a vertical line.

    a rhythmic unit in musical notation, delimited by vertical lines on the staff.

    Example

    The pianist played the first few bars of the song to get everyone's attention.

    Example

    The conductor asked the woodwind section to repeat the passage starting from the twelfth bar.
  6. 8 to prevent or block (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to officially stop someone from doing something or entering a place.

    to exclude or prohibit someone from an activity or place; to obstruct a passage.

    Example

    He was barred from the club after he started a fight.

    Example

    The new regulations effectively bar foreign investors from purchasing residential property in the city centre.
  7. 9 except for (prep.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    except for; not including.

    excluding or excepting a specific person or thing.

    Example

    It was a perfect day, bar a few clouds in the afternoon.

    Example

    The project was completed on schedule, bar a few minor technical issues that were resolved within the week.
  8. 10 unit of pressure (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a scientific unit used to measure how much pressure there is in the air or water.

    a metric unit of pressure equal to 100,000 pascals, approximately equivalent to atmospheric pressure at sea level.

    Example

    The diver checked his gauge to ensure the pressure was below two bars.

    Example

    The laboratory equipment was designed to withstand a maximum internal pressure of five hundred bars.

Idioms12 entries

© 2026 English Reference