Word Origin
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. Show More
to tour (various places) as a barnstormer. Show More
Origin of barnstorm First recorded in
1880–85; barn1 +
storm Related forms barn·storm·er , noun Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for barnstormer navigator ,
flier ,
pilot ,
passenger ,
tourist ,
commuter ,
adventurer ,
migrant ,
sailor ,
pilgrim ,
hiker ,
star ,
artist ,
character ,
clown ,
player ,
villain ,
comedian ,
entertainer ,
performer British Dictionary definitions for barnstormer 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 Show More
Derived Forms barnstormer , noun barnstorming , 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 barnstormer v. 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 .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
