Definition of "barrack" in English

noun

1. (military, chiefly in the plural) A building for soldiers, especially within a garrison; originally referred to temporary huts, now usually to a permanent structure or set of buildings.

   • 1919, House Committee on Military Affairs, Army Reorganization: Hearings Before the Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives, 66th Congress, 1st Session, on H.R. 8287, H.R. 8068, H.R. 7925, H.R. 8870, Sept. 3, 1919-Nov. 12, 1919, Parts 23-43, page 1956, How do you distinguish between the disciplinary barracks and the penitentiary? Where are the disciplinary barracks ?

2. (chiefly in the plural) A primitive structure resembling a long shed or barn for (usually temporary) housing or other purposes.

3. (by extension, chiefly in the plural) Any very plain, monotonous, or ugly large building.

4. (US) A (structure with a) movable roof sliding on four posts, to cover hay, straw, etc.

5. (Ireland, colloquial, usually in the plural) A police station.

verb

1. (transitive) To house military personnel; to quarter.

2. (intransitive) To live in barracks.

verb

1. (British, transitive) To jeer and heckle; to attempt to disconcert by verbal means.

2. (Australia, New Zealand, intransitive) To cheer for or support a team.