barbershop

1 of 2

noun

bar·​ber·​shop ˈbär-bər-ˌshäp How to pronounce barbershop (audio)
: a barber's place of business

barbershop

2 of 2

adjective

: of a style of unaccompanied group singing of popular songs usually marked by highly conventionalized close harmony

Examples of barbershop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Last spring, barbershops sent technicians to the front line in Zaporizhzhia, treating the National Guard soldiers to haircuts and beard trims. Sophia Panych, Allure, 22 Feb. 2024 The Emmy Award-winning TV series, which was co-created by Paul Rivera and Randy Mims and produced by the SpringHill Company, sees A-listers chat with James and Maverick in a barbershop setting. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024 From artistry that highlights Emirati aesthetics and nostalgia, to barbershops with specialty brews, and shoe shops that would turn any sneakerhead into a kid in a candy store, here are some of the must-visit spots for a true taste of its local contemporary culture. Hafsa Lodi, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2023 Her family lost three businesses in the massacre — a hotel, a real estate company and a barbershop. Analisa Novak, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2024 My parents, too amused to be annoyed, gave me a little bit of money and told me to walk to the barbershop down the street. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2024 At The Cigar Box Lounge, Travis Hill, who works at a local barbershop, wondered what would return to Jasper first: an AM tower, or the first movie theater in years. Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 That’s why partnering with a barbershop to host the screenings made sense. Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024 Politics has become part of the daily chatter in their barbershop, with more and more clients praising the former president, and venting deep frustration with both major parties. Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024
Adjective
This unique fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent brings barbershop charm to your day, and sticks around for hours. Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barbershop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from the old custom of men in barbershops forming quartets for impromptu singing of sentimental songs

First Known Use

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbershop was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near barbershop

Cite this Entry

“Barbershop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbershop. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

barbershop

noun
bar·​ber·​shop
ˈbär-bər-ˌshäp
: a barber's place of business

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