barracks

bar-racks · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A building or group of buildings used to house soldiers.

  2. 2.

    Any large, plain building housing many people.

Forms

plural: barracks

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    barrack room — A room in a barracks.
  • •
    barrack-room lawyer — Someone who argues without proper authority.
  • •
    confined to barracks — Restricted to quarters as punishment.

Related words

See also: garrison, military, quarters
Synonyms: camp, garrison, quarters

Etymology

From Spanish barraca ("soldier's tent, hut"), possibly from Catalan barraca or from a pre-Roman root.