barrack

1 of 3

noun

bar·​rack ˈber-ək How to pronounce barrack (audio)
-ik;
ˈba-rək, 
-rik
Synonyms of barracknext
1
: a building or set of buildings used especially for lodging soldiers in garrison
—usually used in plural
2
a
: a structure resembling a shed or barn that provides temporary housing
—usually used in plural
b
: housing characterized by extreme plainness or dreary uniformity
—usually used in plural

barrack

2 of 3

verb (1)

barracked; barracking; barracks

transitive verb

: to lodge in barracks

barrack

3 of 3

verb (2)

barracked; barracking; barracks

transitive verb

chiefly British
: to shout at derisively or sarcastically

intransitive verb

1
chiefly Australia : root, cheer
—usually used with for
2
chiefly British : jeer, scoff
barracker noun

Examples of barrack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The troopers took her to their barracks for questioning. — Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 24 June 2026 Before Werhan left the police barracks, troopers seized his phone and his clothes and took swabs of his hands and face. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026
Verb
Villa’s supporters revelled in his struggles as the game went on, booing and barracking. — Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 For New Yorkers barracked in our houses and apartments, or doctors and nurses scrambling for face masks, beseeching a saint to end an epidemic may not sound sufficient. — Jason Farago, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020 See All Example Sentences for barrack

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French baraque hut, from Catalan barraca

Verb (2)

perhaps from dialect (northern Ireland) barrack to brag

First Known Use

Noun

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb (1)

1701, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of barrack was in 1686

Rhymes for barrack

See All Rhymes for barrack

Browse Nearby Words

barrable
barrack
barracker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Barrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrack. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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