rebar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical (Construction/Engineering); sometimes appears in general news, journalism, and metaphorical usage.
Quick answer
What does “rebar” mean?
A steel rod or mesh used to reinforce concrete structures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A steel rod or mesh used to reinforce concrete structures.
More generally, any material (or by metaphorical extension, concept or person) used to provide strength, support, or reinforcement to something else.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard and identical in meaning. No significant spelling or pronunciation differences.
Connotations
None beyond the technical meaning.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties within the construction/engineering domain. Slightly more likely to appear in American general media due to scale of infrastructure reporting.
Grammar
How to Use “rebar” in a Sentence
[verb] + rebar (lay, install, cut, bend)rebar + [verb] (rebar corrodes, reinforces, provides strength)rebar + [noun] (rebar cage, rebar grid)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rebar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The crew will rebar the foundation before the concrete pour.
American English
- We need to rebar that wall before framing it.
adverb
British English
- The phrase is not used adverbially.
American English
- The phrase is not used adverbially.
adjective
British English
- The rebar schedule was delayed, holding up the entire pour.
American English
- Make sure you have the rebar details on the construction drawings.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor for a person, policy, or element that provides crucial underlying support to a plan or organization.
Academic
Used in engineering, materials science, and architecture papers. Rare in humanities.
Everyday
Uncommon. Might be heard in contexts of home renovation, news about construction, or documentaries.
Technical
The primary domain. Refers to the specific material with specifications for diameter, grade, and coating.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rebar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rebar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rebar”
- Misspelling as 're-bar' (hyphenated form is dated).
- Using as a regular countable noun without a quantifier (e.g., 'We need rebars' is less common than 'We need rebar' or 'pieces of rebar').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily uncountable (like 'steel' or 'concrete'). You refer to 'rebar' in general or 'a piece of rebar' / 'several lengths of rebar' for individual items.
Yes, informally in construction contexts. It means to install reinforcing bars (e.g., 'We need to rebar that section'). This is industry jargon rather than formal English.
'Rebar' specifically refers to steel bars. 'Reinforcement' is a broader category that can include rebar, but also wire mesh, fibers, or other materials used to strengthen concrete.
No, it is still quite rare and specialized. It is most likely to be encountered in business writing or analytical journalism attempting a vivid structural metaphor.
A steel rod or mesh used to reinforce concrete structures.
Rebar is usually technical (construction/engineering); sometimes appears in general news, journalism, and metaphorical usage. in register.
Rebar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈriː.bɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈriˌbɑr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] 'The team was the rebar in the project's foundation.'”
- “'to provide the rebar for an argument' (to give it structural strength).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: REinforcing BAR -> REBAR. Imagine a steel BAR that you use again (RE-) to make something strong.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRUCTURAL SUPPORT IS REBAR (e.g., 'Ethical principles are the rebar of a just society.').
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, what does 'rebar' most likely represent?