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
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Noun
The Barbershop franchise consists of four films, which center around the social lives of employees in a barbershop on the South Side of Chicago. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Old-fashioned striped barbershop poles turn in place on a vertical axis, but humans typically perceive the stripes moving upward rather than turning with the pole. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
This unique fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent brings barbershop charm to your day, and sticks around for hours. — Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for barbershop

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Noun

1510, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbershop was in 1510

Phrases Containing barbershop

Rhymes for barbershop

See All Rhymes for barbershop

Browse Nearby Words

barberry rust
barbershop
barbershop quartet
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Cite this Entry

“Barbershop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbershop. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

barbershop

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