barrage Hear it!

barrage¹ Definition

bar·rage (bə räz̸h, -räj)

noun

  1. a curtain of artillery fire laid down to keep enemy forces from moving, or to cover or prepare the way for one's own forces, esp. in attack
  2. a heavy, prolonged attack of words, blows, etc.

Etymology: Fr, in tir de barrage, barrier fire: see barrage

intransitive verb, transitive verb -·raged, -·rag·ing

to lay down a barrage (against); subject to a barrage

barrage² Definition

bar·rage (bärij, bar-)

noun

a man-made barrier in a stream, river, etc. to deepen the water or channel it for irrigation; dam

Etymology: Fr < barrer, to stop < barre, bar

barrage Synonyms

barrage

n.

bombardment, blast, volley, torrent; see attack 1, fire 2, plenty.

barrage Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • criticism: We've received a barrage of criticism from people who know we can play better than we had done in our previous European matches.
  • propaganda: With the barrage of propaganda served up to us every day, we have to be.
  • insult: The only guests not greeted with a barrage of insults, are those with a title.
  • missile: The police just couldn't resist trying to pop out of every side street - to be greeted by a barrage of missiles.
  • abuse: Consider yourself lucky to get away with just a barrage of abuse; usually this is accompanied by a very real physical threat.
  • emails: This constant barrage of emails is confusing the hell out of me!

Converse of object

  • creep: They advanced behind a creeping barrage - a curtain of falling shells which crept forward just ahead of them.
  • unleash: It unleashed an artillery barrage of paper on the staff rooms of England.
  • withstand: Some in the group are strong enough to withstand the continuous barrage, dishing it back or just ignoring the stupid, vicious taunts.

Adjective modifier

  • tidal: A 10-mile tidal barrage has been proposed for the Severn estuary from the west of Cardiff to Somerset.
  • relentless: Between the two of them, they keep up a relentless barrage of badinage.
  • non-stop: The second of our unsigned events focus's on the non-stop barrage of rock bands coming out of Britain in 2004.
  • constant: Even in his quiet moments, Paul set was a constant barrage of rhythm.
  • terrific: RAF and Navy making enormous noise and SP artillery putting over terrific barrage.
  • sustained: Imagine the effect of a sustained barrage of this ferocity on even a lightly manned trench.

Modifies a noun

  • balloon: A barrage balloon based at Atkinson Road broke away.

Noun used with modifier

  • artillery: On July 18th 1917, a heavy artillery barrage was launched at the German lines.
  • mortar: Starting at 1500 hours on 14 Aug the Germans conducted a 10 min mortar barrage on the Russian held wood.
  • balloon: German bombers passed through the balloon barrage at Billingham.

Browse dictionary entries near barrage

  1. barracuda
  2. barracoon
  3. barracks bag
  4. barracks
  5. barrack
  6. Barrès
  7. Barr body
  8. Barquisimeto
  9. barquette
  10. barque
  1. barrage balloon
  2. barramunda
  3. barramundi
  4. barranca
  5. Barranquilla
  6. barrato
  7. barrator
  8. barratry
  9. barre
  10. barred