Meaning & use
metal bar
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Meanings
nouncountable
A long, solid, straight piece of metal, often used in building or as a tool.
Grammar: Countable: a metal bar, two metal bars. The material comes first, like iron bar or steel bar.
Patterns
- a metal bar across something
The workers lifted a heavy metal bar into place.
A metal bar across the door kept it shut.
He used a metal bar to pry open the crate.
nounusually plural
A piece of metal in a fixed shape that forms a barrier, such as part of a fence, cage, or window guard.
Grammar: Often plural when part of a barrier: the metal bars of the cage.
Patterns
- behind metal bars
The tiger paced behind metal bars.
Metal bars covered the windows of the old shop.
The gate had thick metal bars.
nouncountablesport
A heavy rod used in gyms, such as for weightlifting or pull-ups.
Grammar: A barbell is the specific weightlifting bar.
Patterns
- lift a metal bar
She gripped the metal bar and did ten pull-ups.
The lifter chalked his hands before touching the metal bar.
The playground has a metal bar for climbing.
Word forms
| plural | metal bars |
|---|
Common combinations
- heavy metal bar
- He carried a heavy metal bar across the yard.
- thick metal bar
- A thick metal bar supports the shelf.
- bend a metal bar
- The strongman could bend a metal bar with his hands.
- behind metal bars
- The animals were kept behind metal bars.
- metal bar across
- A metal bar across the door held it closed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rod
- A rod is usually thinner and round, while a metal bar can be square or flat and thicker.
- crowbar
- A crowbar is a specific bar with a bent end for prying, so it is narrower than metal bar.
- rail
- A rail is a bar fixed horizontally for support or guidance, such as on a staircase.
- beam
- A beam is a large structural bar that bears weight in a building.
Word family
Commonly confused: metal bar or bar?
metal bar vs bar
A bar can also be a pub or a counter where drinks are served, so metal bar is used when the long solid object is meant.
Practice
Which tool would you most likely call a metal bar with a bent end used for prying?
Choose one answer.
A crowbar is a metal bar designed for prying. A hammer, ruler and paintbrush are different tools.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “metal bar”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.