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barnstorm

[ bahrn-stawrm ]
/ ˈbɑrnˌstɔrm /
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See synonyms for: barnstorm / barnstormer 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.
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Origin of barnstorm

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. 2023

Words related to barnstorm

canvass, campaign, travel, troupe

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|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)
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
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