barrel

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. the metal tube of a gun that the bullet travels through when it is fired.

n. the metallic tube of a firearm or cannon through which a projectile is discharged.

“The soldier spent the afternoon cleaning the barrel of his rifle.”

“The rifling inside the barrel induces a spin on the bullet, significantly improving the weapon's accuracy over long distances.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a specific amount of liquid, usually used when talking about the price of oil.

n. a standard unit of volume for various liquids, most notably used in the international petroleum industry.

Español:barril

“The price of a barrel of oil rose sharply after the news of the strike.”

“Economists monitored the cost per barrel closely, as fluctuations in energy prices typically precede broader inflationary trends.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports Informal

n. a wave that curls over as it breaks, creating a hollow space like a tube.

n. a hollow, tube-like space formed by a breaking wave, highly sought after by surfers.

“The surfer disappeared into the barrel and came out the other side.”

“Riding deep inside the barrel requires precise board control and a keen understanding of the wave's velocity.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to move very fast, often in a way that seems dangerous or out of control.

v. to move at high speed and with great force, often implying a lack of precision or control.

“The truck came barreling down the hill toward the intersection.”

“The storm clouds were barreling across the plains, forcing the farmers to seek immediate shelter before the hail began.”

C2 · Proficiency Computing Technical

v. to curve outward in the middle like the shape of a barrel.

v. to exhibit a convex distortion where the sides of an image or object bulge outwards.

“The wide-angle lens caused the edges of the photo to barrel slightly.”

“Software corrections are often necessary to rectify the barrel distortion inherent in low-cost wide-angle optics.”