barricade

 
Pronunciation: /ˌbarɪˈkeɪd/

noun

  • an improvised barrier erected across a street or other thoroughfare to prevent or delay the movement of opposing forces: the police action led to riots, with hundreds of demonstrators building barricades and burning vehicles

verb

[with object]
  • block or defend with a barricade: they barricaded the building and occupied it all night
  • shut (someone) into a place by blocking all the entrances: detainees who barricaded themselves into their dormitory

Phrases

man (or go to) the barricades

strongly protest against or defend something.

Origin:

late 16th century: from French, from barrique 'cask', from Spanish barrica; related to barrel (barrels often being used to build barricades)