barnstorm

[ bahrn-stawrm ]
See synonyms for: barnstormbarnstormer on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to conduct a campaign or speaking tour in rural areas by making brief stops in many small towns.

  2. Theater. to tour small towns to stage theatrical performances.

  1. (of a pilot) to give exhibitions of stunt flying, participate in airplane races, etc., in the course of touring country towns and rural areas.

  2. (of a professional athletic team) to tour an area playing exhibition games after the regular season.

verb (used with object)
  1. to tour (various places) as a barnstormer.

Origin of barnstorm

1
First recorded in 1880–85; barn1 + storm

Other words from barnstorm

  • barn·storm·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use barnstorm in a sentence

  • As his reputation grew, Carver emerged as a public barnstormer for better practices.

    Growth Stocks | The Daily Beast | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • He generally appears as the hero, and is a successful tho a rather listless barnstormer.

    The Spirit of the Ghetto | Hutchins Hapgood
  • The Rialto—the haven of every disheartened barnstormer, the cradle of every would-be Hamlet!

    The Easiest Way | Eugene Walter and Arthur Hornblow
  • It was an achievement worthy of the most accomplished barnstormer.

    A Pirate of Parts | Richard Neville

British Dictionary definitions for barnstorm

barnstorm

/ (ˈbɑːnˌstɔːm) /


verb(intr)
  1. to tour rural districts putting on shows, esp theatrical, athletic, or acrobatic shows

  2. mainly US and Canadian to tour rural districts making speeches in a political campaign

Origin of barnstorm

1
C19: from barn 1 + storm (vb); from the performances often being in barns

Derived forms of barnstorm

  • barnstormer, noun
  • barnstorming, noun, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012