Dictionary-Definition.com :: Barrel definition

Definition of 'barrel'

noun

A tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired [syn: barrel, gun barrel]

noun

A cylindrical container that holds liquids [syn: barrel, cask]

noun

A bulging cylindrical shape; hollow with flat ends [syn: barrel, drum]

noun

The quantity that a barrel (of any size) will hold [syn: barrel, barrelful]

noun

Any of various units of capacity; "a barrel of beer is 31 gallons and a barrel of oil is 42 gallons" [syn: barrel, bbl]

verb

Put in barrels

From: GCIDE

Barrel \Bar"rel\ (b[a^]r"r[e^]l), n.[OE. barel, F. baril, prob. fr. barre bar. Cf. Barricade.]
1. A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads; as, a cracker barrel. Sometimes applied to a similar cylindrical container made of metal, usually called a drum. [1913 Webster +PJC]
2. The quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A barrel of wine is 311/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds. [1913 Webster]
3. A solid drum, or a hollow cylinder or case; as, the barrel of a windlass; the barrel of a watch, within which the spring is coiled. [1913 Webster]
4. A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged. --Knight. [1913 Webster]
5. A jar. [Obs.] --1 Kings xvii. 12. [1913 Webster]
6. (Zool.) The hollow basal part of a feather. [1913 Webster]
Barrel bulk (Com.), a measure equal to five cubic feet, used in estimating capacity, as of a vessel for freight.
Barrel drain (Arch.), a drain in the form of a cylindrical tube.
Barrel of a boiler, the cylindrical part of a boiler, containing the flues.
Barrel of the ear (Anat.), the tympanum, or tympanic cavity.
Barrel organ, an instrument for producing music by the action of a revolving cylinder.
Barrel vault. See under Vault. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Barrel \Bar"rel\ (b[a^]r"r[e^]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barreled (-r[e^]ld), or Barrelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Barreling, or Barrelling.] To put or to pack in a barrel or barrels. [1913 Webster]

Barrel a vessel used for keeping flour (1 Kings 17:12, 14, 16). The same word (cad) so rendered is also translated "pitcher," a vessel for carrying water (Gen. 24:14; Judg. 7:16).