barnstorm

[bahrn-stawrm]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR barnstorm ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of barnstorm

First recorded in 1880–85; barn¹ + storm

Related formsbarn·storm·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for barnstorm

canvass, travel, campaign, troupe

Examples from the Web for barnstorm

Contemporary Examples of barnstorm

Now he ought to take his show on the road, barnstorm the country in behalf of the tax hike, see what happens.
Ya Think Susan Rice Is Happy Today?
Michael Tomasky
November 14, 2012
Just get in the same plane and barnstorm the country together.
Grill Him Again!
Mark McKinnon
February 3, 2010
I half-expected him to barnstorm out in riding boots and harangue us, Mussolini-style, underlit from a plinth.
Obama Frees His Mojo
Tina Brown
September 10, 2009

British Dictionary definitions for barnstorm

barnstorm

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 Formsbarnstormer, 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

Word Origin and History for barnstorm

1815, in reference to a theatrical troupe's performances in upstate New York barns (usually featuring short action pieces to suit vulgar tastes); extended 1896 to electioneering, 1928 to itinerant airplane pilots who performed stunts at fairs and races. Related: Barnstormed; barnstorming.