Buildings where soldiers live and sleep, often in large groups. Barracks are usually simple, practical, and close to military training areas or bases.
It comes from French “baraque,” meaning a hut or temporary shelter, likely from Catalan “barraca.” The word originally described simple huts before becoming tied to military housing.
Barracks started as basic huts, not permanent, polished buildings. The word still carries that sense of rough, functional living, where comfort comes second to discipline and readiness.
'Barracks' are tied to military housing, historically built around male‑only forces and norms that marginalized women and LGBTQ+ personnel. As armed forces integrated, housing policies often lagged, reinforcing gender segregation and unequal conditions.
When referring to barracks, avoid assuming all residents are men and be aware of how housing arrangements can affect people of different genders. Use neutral terms for service members unless a specific gender context is relevant.
["military housing","quarters"]
Women and gender‑diverse service members have pushed for safer, more equitable barracks policies, including protections against harassment and recognition of diverse families.
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