barn dance

noun

1. a social gathering, originally held in a barn, and including square dances, round dances, and hoedown music.
2. any party featuring country dances, dress, music, etc.

barn dance

noun

1. a progressive round country dance
2. a party with hoedown music and square-dancing
3. a party featuring country dancing
4. a disco or party held in a barn

Word History and Origins

Origin of barn dance¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

The band was playing, slowly, as is the dancing-fashion of the North, that Barn Dance; and almost every girl was in white.

From Project Gutenberg

Are you clean daffy, doin' a barn dance around that rusty capstan, makin' a noise fit to frighten the fish?

From Project Gutenberg

It was at a country barn dance during these few days that he met Moyra Dolan.

From Project Gutenberg

"And women pet them; they'd prefer a fool who can pot rabbits and do a barn-dance to Homer himself," growled Yate.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the day that Annixter had chosen for his barn-dance and, in consequence, Quien Sabe was in fete and work suspended.

From Project Gutenberg