French Conversation · Level 73
60 words
French word
barrage
Pronunciation
IPA/baʁaʒ/
Meaning
- masculine noundam
Example
Le barrage a été construit sur la rivière.
The dam was built on the river.
More examples
Le barrage hydroélectrique régule le débit de la rivière.
The hydroelectric dam regulates the river's flow.
Core concept
A barrier spans a route or channel, stopping passage or movement at a controlled point.
Common phrases
un barrage hydroélectrique
hydroelectric dam
un barrage de retenue
reservoir dam
Similar words
digue: A raised bank built to hold back sea or river water.
barrière: A partition or gate set up to stop traffic or pedestrians.
réservoir: A constructed pool or installation where water is stored.
obstacle: A thing or circumstance that prevents progress or action.
Definition in French
Ouvrage ou dispositif qui bloque le passage; au sens propre, construction destinée à retenir l'eau et créer un obstacle.
Word origin
Barrage comes from barrer, 'to block', combined with the suffix -age, which forms nouns for an action or its result.
Usage tips
- French uses barrage de questions and barrage de tirs for a sustained onslaught, not only for a water barrier.
Other meanings
- roadblocknoun
- blockadenoun
- artillery barragenoun
Related words
- barrerblockverb
- barréclosed offadjective