Barrel Meaning
Barrel Definition & Usage
A cylindrical container traditionally made of wood, metal, or plastic, used for storing liquids or other goods.
Examples
- "The brewery has been making beer in oak barrels for centuries."
- "She filled the barrel with apples after picking them from the orchard."
- "They rolled the barrels onto the ship for transport across the sea."
- "A large barrel of wine sat at the corner of the cellar, aging slowly."
- "The company buys wine in barrels and bottles it for resale."
To move or throw something in a way that is similar to rolling a barrel, typically with speed and force.
Examples
- "He barreled down the hill on his bike, barely missing the rocks in his path."
- "The football player barreled through the defense to score a touchdown."
- "She barreled through the crowded hallway, late for her meeting."
- "The children barreled into the room, excited for the party."
- "The truck barreled down the road, making a loud rumble as it passed."
A large quantity of something, typically something undesirable.
Examples
- "He was faced with a barrel of problems after the company's stock plummeted."
- "The students had a barrel of homework to complete over the weekend."
- "She found herself in a barrel of trouble after missing the deadline."
- "The politician had a barrel of excuses for his poor performance in office."
- "They were sitting on a barrel of money after the successful investment."
Cultural Context
The barrel has a long history as a container, particularly in Europe, where it was used to store and transport liquids like wine, beer, and oil. The traditional wooden barrel, with its distinctive metal bands, was a key part of trade and storage for centuries, particularly in the wine industry.
The Barrel of Decisions
Story
The Barrel of Decisions
In the small town of Oakville, the annual Harvest Festival was fast approaching, and the villagers were preparing for the traditional competition: barrel racing. This year, however, the event held a deeper significance for two childhood friends, Tom and Sarah. They had spent their youth running barrels through the fields together, but now, as adults, their lives had taken different paths. Tom, once the fastest runner, had grown distant from Sarah after he inherited the family farm, a responsibility that had come with its own set of burdens. He was now buried under a 'barrel of problems'—a failing crop and a looming mortgage. Sarah, on the other hand, had moved away to the city, seeking a different kind of success. Yet, this year, she had come back, hoping to find the answer to her own 'barrel of regrets'. As the competition began, Tom and Sarah found themselves racing side by side once again, each barrel they rolled down the track representing a part of their shared past. But as they neared the finish line, something unexpected happened: Tom, remembering his once carefree days with Sarah, made a decision to let go of his pride. Instead of pushing for victory, he slowed down, allowing Sarah to win the race. It wasn’t about the barrel race anymore. It was about letting go of the burdens they both carried and embracing a future without the weight of the past. The crowd cheered as Sarah crossed the finish line first, but it was Tom who had won the real race—he had finally freed himself from the 'barrel of stress' that had held him captive for so long.
Related Words
