in commerce, a round vessel, extending more in length than in breadth, made of wood, in form of a little tun. See Tun.

It serves for holding several sorts of merchandise.

Barrel is also a measure of liquids. The English barrel, wine-measure, contains the eighth part of a tun, the fourth part of a pipe, and one half of a hogshead; that is to say, it contains thirty-one gallons and a half: A barrel, beer-measure, contains thirty-six gallons; and, ale-measure, thirty-two gallons. The barrel of beer, vinegar, or liquor preparing for vinegar, ought to contain thirty-four gallons, according to the standard of the ale quart.

Barrel also denotes a certain weight of several merchandizes, which differs according to the several commodities: A barrel of Essex butter weighs one hundred and six pounds; and of Suffolk butter, two hundred and fifty-six pounds. The barrel of herrings ought to contain thirty-two gallons wine measure, which amount to about twenty-eight gallons old standard, containing about a thousand herrings. The barrel of salmon must contain forty-two gallons. The barrel of eels the same. The barrel of soap must weigh two hundred and fifty-six pounds.

Barrel, in mechanics, a term given by watch-makers to the cylinder about which the spring is wrapped: And by gun-smiths to the cylindrical tube of a gun, pistol, &c. through which the ball is discharged.

Barrel, in anatomy, a pretty large cavity behind the tympanum of the ear, about four or five lines deep, and five or six wide.

Thundering Barrels, in the military art, are filled with bombs, grenades, and other fire-works, to be rolled down a breach.