barred

Barred is a descriptive term applied in several contexts. As an adjective, it means marked by or divided into bars, or restricted or forbidden. It is formed from the verb bar, indicating obstruction or prohibition. In everyday use, something barred has had a barrier placed across it, such as barred windows or doors, or a person barred from entry or participation.

In anatomy and design, barred describes patterns of stripes or crossbars on animals, birds, fabrics, or architectural surfaces. A common example is the barred owl (Strix varia), whose chest bears a series of brown vertical bars on a pale background, and in broader zoological descriptions the term denotes similarly striped or banded markings.

In astronomy, barred refers to a class of spiral galaxies that feature a central bar-shaped structure of stars extending from the nucleus, with spiral arms connected to the ends. The Milky Way is widely described as a barred spiral galaxy by contemporary astronomy.

In law, sports, and governance, barred conveys prohibition or exclusion: someone who is barred from a venue or competition is not allowed to participate; a person can be barred from office by legal or organizational action.

The term's usage varies by field, but across contexts barred consistently signals the presence of a barrier—whether physical, organizational, or symbolic.