barrel

A large round container with curved sides, used to hold liquids, goods, or rubbish.

• The barrel is empty.
• They stored wine in wooden barrels.
• Put the rubbish in that metal barrel.

Similar words: cask

Common phrases: wooden barrel, empty barrel, trash barrel

The long tube of a gun through which a bullet travels when fired.

• The gun has a long barrel.
• He cleaned the barrel of his rifle.
• Never look down a gun barrel.

Common phrases: gun barrel, rifle barrel, barrel of something

The amount that fills one large round container, also used as a measure for oil.

• We bought a barrel of beer.
• Oil prices rose to eighty dollars per barrel.
• The company produces thousands of barrels each day.

Common phrases: barrel of oil, barrel of beer, per barrel

A strong metal tube forming part of a machine or other equipment.

• The pump barrel is made of steel.
• A piston moves inside the barrel.
• The engineer replaced the damaged barrel.

Similar words: tube, cylinder

Common phrases: pump barrel, steel barrel, barrel assembly

The short tube joining a clarinet’s mouthpiece to its main upper section.

• The clarinet needs a new barrel.
• A longer barrel can lower the pitch.
• She fitted the mouthpiece into the barrel.

Common phrases: clarinet barrel, barrel length, barrel joint

The rounded middle part of a horse’s body, including its ribs and belly.

• The pony has a broad barrel.
• The girth passes around the horse’s barrel.
• Her legs rested against the barrel as she rode.

Common phrases: horse barrel, broad barrel, rounded barrel

To move very fast, often with little control.

• The truck barrelled down the hill.
• He came barreling around the corner.
• A cyclist barrelled past us without slowing down.

How to use it: barrel down/along something (The bus barrelled along the narrow road.); barrel into someone/something (He barrelled into me outside the shop.)

Similar words: rush, race, charge

Common phrases: barrel down something, barrel through something, barrel into something