# barrel

/ˈbæɹəɫ/ (US) · /bˈæɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barrel
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a container

noun · CEFR B1

a large, round container made of wood or metal, used for storing liquids like oil, wine, or beer.

For teachers: a cylindrical vessel, traditionally made of wooden staves and hoops, used for the storage and aging of liquids.

- The wine was left to age in an oak barrel for several years.
- Distilleries often reuse charred oak barrels to impart a specific smoky flavour profile to the maturing spirit.

### 2. part of a gun

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a unit of measure

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- 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.

### 4. surfing wave

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to move fast

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used with 'down' or 'along'.

### 6. to bulge

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The winery stores wine in oak barrels.
- The price of oil is often quoted per barrel on the global market.
- The old cooper demonstrated the traditional craft of assembling staves and hoops to form a watertight barrel, a skill passed down through generations.

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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.