Real Dictionary

bard
countable noun: A bard is a poet.
proper noun: People sometimes refer to William Shakespeare as the Bard.

bard in American English 1
an ancient Celtic poet and singer of epic poems, who accompanied himself on the harp
noun: a person who composed and recited epic or heroic poems, often while playing the harp, lyre, or the like

bard in American English 2
a piece of armor for a horse
to put bards on (a horse)
noun: any of various pieces of defensive armor for a horse
transitive verb: to caparison with bards

Bard in British English
noun

bard in British English 1
noun: (formerly) one of an ancient Celtic order of poets who recited verses about the exploits, often legendary, of their tribes

bard in British English 2
to place a bard on
noun: a piece of larding bacon or pork fat placed on game or lean meat during roasting to prevent drying out