The heads of fishing spears usually feature barbs or serrated edges. The rod is jerked up, and the barb enters the body of the fish and drags it out of the water. A sharp or pointed remark, referring to a cutting or critical comment that is intended to wound or hurt someone emotionally.

The meaning of barb is a medieval cloth headdress passing over or under the chin and covering the neck. Definition of barb noun in oxford advanced learner's dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. A barb is a sharp curved point near the end of an arrow or a fish hook that makes it difficult to pull out.