barrage
C1Formal to neutral; common in news, military, and figurative contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A concentrated outpouring or dense barrier of something, often meant to overwhelm, suppress, or obstruct.
1. A heavy artillery bombardment over a wide area. 2. A rapid succession of questions, criticisms, or information intended to overwhelm. 3. An artificial barrier built across a river to control water flow. 4. An overwhelming number or amount delivered simultaneously.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word retains its core idea of a 'barrier' or 'deluge' intended to block or suppress, whether literal (water, artillery) or metaphorical (questions, data). The verb form means to subject someone/something to such an outpouring.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use all meanings. The military/artillery sense is slightly more prominent in British historical context. The pronunciation of the first syllable differs (see IPA).
Connotations
Similar in both: negative or neutral, implying intensity and potential overwhelm.
Frequency
Comparatively frequent in both varieties; the metaphorical sense (e.g., 'barrage of criticism') is very common in media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] a barrage of [noun] (face/endure/launch a barrage)barrage [object] with [noun] (barrage someone with questions)subject + verb (The artillery barraged the city.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lay down a barrage”
- “Under a constant barrage”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The CEO faced a barrage of questions from shareholders about the falling profits.'
Academic
'The study was criticized for its barrage of statistical data without sufficient interpretation.'
Everyday
'I couldn't concentrate because of the constant barrage of notifications on my phone.'
Technical
'The engineers designed the barrage to regulate tidal flow and generate hydroelectric power.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The interviewer barraged the minister with queries about the scandal.
- Protesters were barraged by water cannons.
American English
- Reporters barraged the official with questions after the press conference.
- The customer service line was barraged with complaints.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard; typically not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard; typically not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- Barrage balloon (historical term).
- Barrage fire tactics were discussed.
American English
- Barrage balloon (historical).
- The general ordered a barrage attack at dawn.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The noise from the street was a constant barrage.
- She faced a barrage of questions from her curious friends.
- The army built a barrage across the river.
- The new policy provoked a barrage of criticism from the opposition and the media.
- The town was protected by a barrage of anti-aircraft fire.
- The defence lawyer skilfully parried the prosecutor's barrage of accusatory hypotheses.
- Environmentalists argue that the tidal barrage, while generating clean energy, disrupts local ecosystems.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BAR blocking a RAGE-ing river. A BARRAGE is like a barrier of intense, raging force—whether water, bullets, or words.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION/CRITICISM IS WARFARE (e.g., 'barrage of questions'). NATURAL FORCE IS AN ADVERSARY (e.g., 'water barrage').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите всегда как "барраж" (заимствование, редкое).
- Для военного смысла: "артобстрел", "огневой вал".
- Для реки: "плотина", "дамба", "водозаграждение".
- Для метафоры: "поток", "град", "шквал" (вопросов).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'barage' or 'barriage'.
- Using it for a single, large event (better for a sustained series).
- Confusing with 'embarrass' in spelling.
- Incorrect stress in AmE pronunciation (should be on second syllable).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'barrage' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is far more commonly used as a noun (e.g., 'a barrage of'). The verb form ('to barrage someone with...') is also standard but less frequent.
They are often synonyms in military contexts. However, 'bombardment' is exclusively military/destructive, while 'barrage' extends to non-violent, figurative overwhelm (questions, noise) and civil engineering (river barrier).
American English often adopted the French-style pronunciation (stress on second syllable) for this loanword, while British English adapted it to a more anglicized first-syllable stress pattern.
Rarely. Its core semantics involve an overwhelming, often aggressive, delivery. A 'barrage of compliments' is possible but still carries a nuance of being somewhat excessive or intense.