# barracks

/ˈbæɹəks/ (US) · /bˈæɹəks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barracks
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. military housing

noun · CEFR B2

a building or group of buildings where soldiers live together.

For teachers: a building or group of buildings used to accommodate military personnel. Often functions as a singular noun despite the plural ending.

- The new soldiers were sent to the barracks to unpack their gear.
- The regiment was confined to barracks for the weekend while the commanding officer investigated the breach of security.

### 2. shouting at players

verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Dialect

to shout loudly at a person or team to show you do not like them.

For teachers: to shout or jeer at a performer or a sports team to express disapproval or to distract them.

- The crowd started barracksing the referee after he made a controversial decision.
- The home fans began barracksing the visiting goalkeeper, hoping to rattle his nerves before the penalty shootout began.

Usage: In Australian and New Zealand English, this verb can actually mean the opposite: to cheer for or support a team.

## Examples

- The soldiers returned to the barracks after their morning training.
- Life in the barracks requires a high level of discipline and constant cooperation with other members of the unit.
- The historic barracks, once a site of intense military activity, has been converted into a museum that preserves the daily experiences of infantrymen from the previous century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.