Word
barbican
Phoneticsbar·bi·can
UK/bˈɑːbɪkən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a strong outer building that protects the entrance to a castle or old walled town. You had to walk through it to reach the main gate.
n. an outer fortified structure guarding the entrance to a castle or walled city, typically incorporating a gate, bridge, or defensive towers.
Examples
“The old castle keeps its stone barbican by the gate.”
“Visitors cross the barbican before they reach the main courtyard of the medieval fortress.”
“The restored barbican, with its twin towers and narrow arrow slits, shows how medieval builders forced attackers into a tight, exposed passage.”
Examples
simple
“The old castle keeps its stone barbican by the gate.”
contextual
“Visitors cross the barbican before they reach the main courtyard of the medieval fortress.”
complex
“The restored barbican, with its twin towers and narrow arrow slits, shows how medieval builders forced attackers into a tight, exposed passage.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “barbican” in context.
Verb
01. barbican guards
“The barbican guards the narrow entrance to the inner ward.”
noun + verb
02. barbican stands
“The barbican stands at the end of the bridge over the moat.”
noun + verb
03. barbican survives
“Only the barbican survives from the original thirteenth-century defences.”
noun + verb
04. breach barbican
“Enemy artillery finally managed to breach the barbican.”
verb + noun
05. defend barbican
“A small garrison continued to defend the barbican for weeks.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. fortified barbican
“The fortified barbican protected the castle from direct assault.”
adj + noun
07. imposing barbican
“Travellers were confronted by an imposing barbican at the city wall.”
adj + noun
08. massive barbican
“A massive barbican once dominated the northern approach to the fortress.”
adj + noun
09. medieval barbican
“The medieval barbican still controls access to the old town gate.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. approach to barbican
“The exposed approach to the barbican left attackers vulnerable.”
noun + prep + noun
11. arch of barbican
“The carriage slowed as it passed under the arch of the barbican.”
noun + prep + noun
12. defend the barbican against attackers
“The garrison defended the barbican against attackers for three weeks.”
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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