barrel

[/ˈbærəl/]
noun/verbmasculinepl: barrels / barris
barril
1. A cylindrical container made of wooden staves bound with metal hoops, used for storing liquids or solids
The wine was aged in oak barrels for three years.
O vinho envelheceu em barris de carvalho por três anos.
2. The amount that a barrel can hold, used as a unit of measurement
Oil prices are measured in dollars per barrel.
Os preços do petróleo são medidos em dólares por barril.
3. The metal tube of a firearm through which the projectile travels
The gun's barrel was cleaned after each use.
O cano da arma foi limpo após cada uso.
4. A large quantity or amount of something
That scandal opened a barrel of worms.
Esse escândalo abriu uma caixa de Pandora.
5. To move at high speed; to move rapidly
The car barreled down the highway.
O carro disparou pela rodovia.
In Brazil, 'barril' is commonly used in the context of beer (barril de chopp - draft beer keg), wine production, and oil industry measurements. In the USA, barrels are iconic in whiskey production (bourbon barrel aging) and oil industry. The phrase 'barrel of laughs' is more common in American English, while 'scraping the bottom of the barrel' is universal in both cultures.
NYC Slang
barrel down = to move fast, go quickly
Synonyms / Sinônimos
caskdrumcontainervattun

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
barril
Standard term used throughout Brazil for the container
Rio de Janeiro
barril/tambor
Both terms used; tambor more colloquial
São Paulo
barril
Preferred in industrial/commercial contexts
Portugal
barril/pipa
Pipa traditionally used for wine/liquid storage in Portugal

Related Words

hoopsstavesbungcooperagekegcaskwooden vessel

Related Idioms & Phrases

barrel of laughs - something very funny
scraping the bottom of the barrel - using the last or worst available option
a barrel of monkeys - a lot of fun or amusement
over a barrel - in a difficult or helpless situation
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