Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

barbell

/ˈbɑɹˌbɛl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.65 in modern English

Syllables: bar-bell
IPA: /ˈbɑɹˌbɛl/

11

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A wide steel bar with premeasured weights counterpoised at either end, with the central span open for the hands of the weightlifter.

noun

A piece of jewellery composed of a straight bar with a bead on each end, used as a piercing.

Example Sentences

"The in-house gym included “squat racks” for weight lifting, with iron barbells branded with “Thinking Machines” in bold white typeface."

Etymology

Blend of bar + dumbbell. The piercing is named after the exercise equipment, because of the visual resemblance.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbɑɹˌbɛl/

Inflected Forms

barbells (plural)

Derived Forms

nanobarbell

Phrases

barbell bar pad barbell cushion barbell pad barbell rack

Frequently Paired Words

dumbbell kettlebell

Synonyms

weight bar

Rhymes With

tarbell barbel

Questions

How do you pronounce barbell?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbɑɹˌbɛl/.
What does barbell mean?: A wide steel bar with premeasured weights counterpoised at either end, with the central span open for the hands of the weightlifter.
Where does barbell come from?: Blend of bar + dumbbell. The piercing is named after the exercise equipment, because of the visual resemblance.

How to pronounce barbell

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “barbell”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbɑɹˌbɛl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “barbell”.
Repeat and practice — Say “barbell” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.