verb · B1

Bar

BAH/bɑː/

To bar is to officially stop someone from entering or doing something: bar someone from a ground / a profession. Ban is a close twin (already in the dictionary). A bar as a noun is also a pub counter — do not mix the senses in one sentence. Stewards may bar drunk fans.

Meaning

To officially stop someone from doing or entering something.

Examples

“Stewards may bar drunk fans from the ground.”
“A pub bar is the counter; to bar fans is the verb of exclusion.”

Good to know

bar someone from + noun. Close: ban. Noun mix-up: a bar (pub). Sport / regulation. The Bar (capital B) can mean barristers as a group.

Near in meaning

ban

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