barnstorm

[bahrn-stawrm]

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.

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

4. (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.

barnstorm

/ ˈbɑːnˌstɔːm /

verb

1. to tour rural districts putting on shows, esp theatrical, athletic, or acrobatic shows

2. to tour rural districts making speeches in a political campaign

Other Word Forms

• barnstormer noun
• barnstorming noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of barnstorm¹

First recorded in 1880–85; barn ¹ + storm

Word History and Origins

Origin of barnstorm¹

C19: from _barn ¹ + _storm ( vb ); from the performances often being in barns

Example Sentences

Looking back on the barnstorming trip, Fouts said, “The fact that we played in the first game outside of North America, that is a source of pride.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After debuting his plan in the 2005 State of the Union address, he barnstormed the country in support of it — and the idea flamed out like a SpaceX rocket.

Read more on Salon

It was one stop during the Bananas’ most audacious barnstorming effort since their baseball traveling show hit the road just a few years ago.

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Rosé's APT was one of the defining hits of late 2024, while Lisa's barnstorming Alter Ego album coincides with her role in the latest series of White Lotus.

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The NFL ultimately could wind up playing a full slate of 17 games beyond the U.S. borders, a globe-trotting barnstorming tour possibly instead of a fixed international franchise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• canvass