a problem, rule or situation that prevents sb from doing sth, or that makes sth impossible 障碍，壁垒（指阻碍某人做某事，或令某件事情不可能的难题、规则或情况）◆The policy protected farmers by setting up barriers against imports. 这项政策通过设置进口壁垒保护了农民。◆The company denied that there are any artificial barriers to promotion. 公司否认在晋升问题上存在人为障碍。
something that exists between one thing or person and another and keeps them separate 界线；隔阂；障碍◆We need to remove unnecessary barriers between management and the workforce. 我们必须消除管理层和员工之间不必要的隔阂。