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barnstorm

[ bahrn-stawrm ]
/ ˈbɑrnˌstɔrm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR barnstorm

verb (used without object)

to conduct a campaign or speaking tour in rural areas by making brief stops in many small towns.
Theater. to tour small towns to stage theatrical performances.
(of a pilot) to give exhibitions of stunt flying, participate in airplane races, etc., in the course of touring country towns and rural areas.
(of a professional athletic team) to tour an area playing exhibition games after the regular season.

verb (used with object)

to tour (various places) as a barnstormer.

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Origin of barnstorm

First recorded in 1880–85; barn1 + storm

OTHER WORDS FROM barnstorm

barn·storm·er, noun

Words nearby barnstorm

barn owl, barn raising, Barnsley, Barnstable, Barnstaple, barnstorm, barn swallow, Barnum, Barnum, Phineas T., barnwood, barnyard
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to barnstorm

canvass, travel, campaign, troupe

Example sentences from the Web for barnstorm

British Dictionary definitions for barnstorm

barnstorm
/ (ˈbɑːnˌstɔːm) /

verb (intr)

to tour rural districts putting on shows, esp theatrical, athletic, or acrobatic shows
mainly US and Canadian to tour rural districts making speeches in a political campaign

Derived forms of barnstorm

barnstormer, nounbarnstorming, noun, adjective

Word Origin for barnstorm

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