barracks
C1Formal, Military, Historical, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A large building or group of buildings for housing soldiers or other personnel, such as workers or students.
Can refer to any large, plain, institutional building resembling a military living quarters; used metaphorically to describe a stark, regimented, or austere environment.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always used as a plural noun in modern English (e.g., 'the barracks are'), though historically the singular 'barrack' existed. Refers to the building collectively. The term evokes images of communal living, discipline, and spartan conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the plural form 'barracks'. The pronunciation differs slightly. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Similar connotations of military life, discipline, and austerity in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English due to longer-standing military traditions and place names (e.g., Chelsea Barracks).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The soldiers were stationed in the [barracks].The [barracks] house/houses (note: number agreement can vary) over 500 personnel.They marched back to their [barracks].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's like a barracks in here! (said of a messy, all-male living space)”
- “Barracks-room lawyer (a soldier who argues about regulations)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used, except in industries like construction or security when referring to on-site worker housing.
Academic
Used in historical, military, or architectural contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing military life, history, or describing a very plain, institutional building.
Technical
Standard term in military documents, logistics, and base planning.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The protesters were barracked by a small section of the crowd.
- He was constantly barracked from the opposition benches.
American English
- The comedian was barracked by a heckler in the front row.
- Fans barracked the visiting team's goalkeeper.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (No standard adjectival form. Use 'barrack-like' or 'barrack-room').
American English
- N/A (No standard adjectival form. Use 'barrack-like' or 'barrack-room').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The soldiers live in a big barracks.
- My brother is in the army and sleeps in a barracks.
- The old army barracks have been turned into flats.
- The new recruits were taken to their barracks on the first day.
- After the exercise, the weary troops returned to their barracks for some rest.
- The historic barracks now serve as a museum for the regiment.
- The austerity of life in the barracks was a shock to the young volunteers.
- Journalists were denied access to the military barracks where the detainees were held.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'rack' for holding things. A BARRACKS holds lots of soldiers, all lined up like items on a rack.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BARRACKS IS A CONTAINER (for people). INSTITUTIONAL LIVING IS A BARRACKS (austere, uniform).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'казарма' (kazarma) – while a direct translation, be aware 'barracks' is plural in form and use. Avoid saying 'a barracks' or 'two barrackses'.
- Do not use for a single room where a soldier lives – that is a 'barracks room' or 'bunk'. 'Barracks' refers to the whole building/complex.
Common Mistakes
- Treating it as a singular countable noun (incorrect: 'a barrack', 'three barrackses'). Correct: 'The barracks is/are...' (agreement varies).
- Pronouncing the final 's' as a /z/; it's always /s/.
- Misspelling with one 'r' (baracks).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'barracks' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun in form (always ends in -s). However, it can take either a singular or plural verb depending on whether you are referring to it as a single institution ('The barracks is old.') or as a collection of buildings/rooms ('The barracks are spread over five acres.'). The singular verb is more common.
It is a different, chiefly British/Australian verb meaning to shout loudly at or jeer someone, especially a speaker or performer. It comes from a different origin (19th century Australian slang).
Yes, metaphorically. It can describe any large, plain, institutional residential building, like a worker's hostel or a very austere student dormitory (e.g., 'Our university halls were like concrete barracks.').
A 'barracks' is specifically the building(s) where soldiers live. A 'garrison' is the body of troops stationed in a particular location, OR the military post itself (which includes the barracks, headquarters, stores, etc.).