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. 2022

How to use barnstorm in a sentence

Not only did he accept his loss, he spent the final days of his campaign barnstorming the country to build support for his opponent’s impending victory, setting aside his long-held desire for the presidency for the higher principle of national unity.
Gracious losers protect our democracy. Sore ones undermine it.|Edward McClelland|January 6, 2021|Washington Post
Back then, when partners of stars melted into the background, it was a barnstorming stealing of the show.
Happy 20th Birthday, Liz Hurley’s Safety-Pin Dress|Tim Teeman|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After such a barnstorming stage debut, and while “my heart is in theater,” screen acting intrigues him.
The Brit Who Stormed Broadway|Tim Teeman|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not long after that, during a barnstorming tour of the country, he suffers the fate of all martyrs.
American Dreams: How Bush Shaped Our Reading of Roth’s ‘The Plot Against America’|Nathaniel Rich|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He explained that the sport grew because there was a chance to earn some money barnstorming.
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their Own|Robert Silverman|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the barnstorming tour moves across America, Walker also seems to become increasingly fixated on Cuba.
The Man Oswald First Tried to Kill Before JFK|Bill Minutaglio, Steven L. Davis|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Usually though, it only ends in talk, and the teams make a barnstorming trip to San Francisco or to Cuba.
Baseball Joe Around the World|Lester Chadwick
I had heard of but had never known what "barnstorming" meant before.
Nat Goodwin's Book|Nat C. Goodwin
The daughter of a strolling third-rate actor, who goes barnstorming about the country, and she has been on the stage, too.
Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School|Jessie Graham Flower
He looks mightily like one of those strolling actors who go barnstorming through country towns.
Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School|Jessie Graham Flower

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

barnstorm

Origin of barnstorm

OTHER WORDS FROM barnstorm

Words related to barnstorm

How to use barnstorm in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for barnstorm

Derived forms of barnstorm

Word Origin for barnstorm