Bar

Bar is a long rod, typically of metal, used as obstruction, fastening, or weapon. Even a rigid piece of wood or other material having similar shape and use is called a bar. Bar is also a short form of crossbar, a regular narrow block of food article or other substance, a beam of light, and a band of colour, especially on a flat surface.

In Heraldry, it is a charge in the form of a narrow horizontal stripe, across the shield. In the British Houses of Parliament, it is a rail marking the end of each chamber.

Bar is also an establishment serving alcohol and other refreshments, a room in a restaurant or hotel in which alcohol is served, or a counter across which alcohol is served. Sometimes a small store of booth is also called a bar, such as a dairy bar.

A sandbank or shoal at the mouth of a harbour, bay, or estuary is also called bar.

Bar is also a barrier or restriction to an action, such as bar on contesting election.

In music, bar is a measure or the time of a piece of music.

A partition in a courtroom or legislative assembly is called the bar. Such a partition is now only notional beyond which people are not supposed to go. The bar is also the structure at which an accused stands. The Bar is the legal profession or the lawyers and barristers collectively. Bar is also a particular court of law, or a plea arresting an action or claim in a law case.

Bar is also a measure, a unit of pressure, approximately equal to one atmosphere. One bar is equal to 100,000 newtons per square meter.