Definition of "barrage" []

• An artificial obstruction, such as a dam or irrigation channel, built in a watercourse to increase its depth or to divert its flow. (noun)
• A heavy curtain of artillery fire directed in front of friendly troops to screen and protect them. (noun)
• A rapid, concentrated discharge of missiles, as from small arms. (noun)
• An overwhelming, concentrated outpouring, as of words: a barrage of criticism. (noun)
• To direct a barrage at. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The Bush campaign wanted to wait until the Democratic nominee was settled on, but because of what they call a barrage of negative attacks against the president, and his poll numbers certainly are sliding, they decided to step up the timing of this just a big - Anderson?"
• "Gingrich yesterday renewed his criticism of what he described as a barrage of negative ads run against him, accusing Wall Street and Goldman Sachs of financing the attacks."
• "Joe Hockey defends Coalition costings OPPOSITION Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey is defending the Coalition's policy costings from what he calls a barrage of "hysterical allegations" from"