the act of preventing; "there was no bar against leaving"; "money was allocated to study the cause and prevention of influenza";
a rigid piece of metal or wood; usually used as a fastening or obstruction or weapon; "there were bars in the windows to prevent escape";
an obstruction (usually metal) placed at the top of a goal; "it was an excellent kick but the ball hit the bar";
a counter where you can obtain food or drink; "he bought a hot dog and a coke at the bar";
(law) a railing that encloses the part of the courtroom where the judges and lawyers sit and the case is tried; "spectators were not allowed past the bar";
a heating element in an electric fire; "an electric fire with three bars";
a horizontal rod that serves as a support for gymnasts as they perform exercises;
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter; "he drowned his sorrows in whiskey at the bar";
a portable .30 caliber magazine-fed automatic rifle operated by gas pressure; used by United States troops in World War I and in World War II and in the Korean War;
a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax); "a bar of chocolate";
musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats; "the orchestra omitted the last twelve bars of the song";
the body of individuals qualified to practice law in a particular jurisdiction; "he was admitted to the bar in New Jersey";
a submerged (or partly submerged) ridge in a river or along a shore; "the boat ran aground on a submerged bar in the river";
(meteorology) a unit of pressure equal to a million dynes per square centimeter; "unfortunately some writers have used bar for one dyne per square centimeter";
prevent from entering; keep out; "He was barred from membership in the club";
secure with, or as if with, bars; "He barred the door";
render unsuitable for passage; "block the way"; "barricade the streets"; "stop the busy road";
expel, as if by official decree; "he was banished from his own country";
