Definition of 'barrow'

Word Frequency

barrow

(bæroʊ )

Word forms: plural barrows

1. countable noun

A barrow is the same as a wheelbarrow.

2. countable noun

A barrow is a cart from which fruit or other goods are sold in the street.

[British]regional note: in AM, use pushcart

3. countable noun

A barrow is a large structure made of earth that people used to build over graves in ancient times.

More Synonyms of barrow

Word Frequency

barrow in British 1

(ˈbærəʊ )

noun

1. wheelbarrow, handbarrow

2. Also called: barrowful

the amount contained in or on a barrow

3. mainly British

a handcart, typically having two wheels and a canvas roof, used esp by street vendors

4. Northern England dialect

concern or business (esp in the phrases that's not my barrow, that's just my barrow)

5. into one's barrow

Word origin of 'barrow'

Old English bearwe; related to Old Norse barar bier, Old High German bāra

Word Frequency

barrow in British 2

(ˈbærəʊ )

noun

a heap of earth placed over one or more prehistoric tombs, often surrounded by ditches. Long barrows are elongated Neolithic mounds usually covering stone burial chambers; round barrows are Bronze Age, covering burials or cremations

Word origin of 'barrow'

Old English beorg; related to Old Norse bjarg, Gothic bairgahei hill, Old High German berg mountain

Word Frequency

barrow in British 3

(ˈbærəʊ )

noun

a castrated pig

Word origin of 'barrow'

Old English bearg; related to Old Norse börgr, Old High German barug

Word Frequency

Barrow in British

(ˈbærəʊ )

noun

a river in SE Ireland, rising in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and flowing south to Waterford Harbour. Length: about 193 km (120 miles)

2. Barrow-in-Furness, Barrow Point

Word Frequency

Barrow in American

(ˈbæroʊ ; barˈō; ˈbɛroʊ ; berˈō)

Pointnorthernmost point of Alas.: cape on the Arctic Ocean

Word origin of 'barrow'

after Sir John Barrow (1764-1848), Eng geographer: he promoted Arctic exploration

Word Frequency

barrow in American 1

(ˈbæroʊ ; barˈō; ˈbɛroʊ ; berˈō)

noun

handbarrow

wheelbarrow

3. Chiefly British

a small cart with two wheels, pushed by hand; pushcart

Word origin of 'barrow'

ME barwe < OE bearwe, basket, barrow < beran, bear1

Word Frequency

barrow in American 2

(ˈbæroʊ ; barˈō; ˈbɛroʊ ; berˈō)

noun

a heap of earth or rocks covering a grave, esp. an ancient one; tumulus

a mountain; hill

now used only in English place names

Word origin of 'barrow'

ME berwe < OE beorg, hill < IE base *bhereĝh-, high, elevated > Ger berg, burg, L fortis

Word Frequency

barrow in American 3

(ˈbæroʊ ; barˈō; ˈbɛroʊ ; berˈō)

noun

a pig castrated before maturing

Example sentences containing 'barrow'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Three other sets of remains have joined her in the long barrow since. Times, Sunday Times (2014)This is also when the remaining four phases of the oval barrow were fashioned. Francis Pryor BRITAIN BC: Life In Britain and Ireland before the Romans (2003)I visited a round barrow right in the middle of the heath. Times, Sunday Times (2012)He said: 'What appeals to me about having my remains in this long barrow is the permanence of the structure and the landscape. Times, Sunday Times (2014)