Online OXFORD Collocation Dictionary

barrier noun

¹ fence/gate

ADJ. physical | crash, crush, flood, police, protective, security, ticket | sound (figurative) the first plane to break the sound barrier

VERB + BARRIER build, erect, install | break through The crowd managed to break through the barriers and get onto the pitch.

PREP. at a/the ~ Please show your ticket at the barrier. | behind a/the ~ The police waited behind the barriers. | through a/the ~ There was a slow trickle of people through the barriers.

² thing that causes problems

ADJ. effective, formidable, major | class, cultural, language, racial, trade

VERB + BARRIER build, create, erect, put up, set up The old laws created barriers to free trade. | break down, lift, lower, reduce, remove | cross They believe that sport can cross any barriers. | be faced with, encounter, face | overcome, transcend

PREP. ~ against The country has set up barriers against imports. | ~ between a class barrier between the two families | ~ to a formidable barrier to communication

³ physical object that prevents sb/sth passing

ADJ. impassable, impenetrable | natural

VERB + BARRIER form

PREP. ~ between The mountains form a natural barrier between the two countries.