barbell

Blend of bar +‎ dumbbell. The piercing is named after the exercise equipment, because of the visual resemblance.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈbɑɹˌbɛl/

• Audio (US):

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barbell (plural barbells)

2. (weightlifting) A wide steel bar with premeasured weights counterpoised at either end, with the central span open for the hands of the weightlifter.

   Synonym: weight bar

   • 2026 January 22, Cade Metz, Kalley Huang, Mike Isaac, “The A.I. Start-Up Soap Opera Riveting Silicon Valley”, in The New York Times‎^[1], New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 22 January 2026:

     The in-house gym included “squat racks” for weight lifting, with iron barbells branded with “Thinking Machines” in bold white typeface.

4. (jewelry) A piece of jewellery composed of a straight bar with a bead on each end, used as a piercing.

• dumbbell
• kettlebell