barn owl

American  

noun

1. a yellowish-brown and white owl, Tyto alba, often inhabiting barns and other buildings.

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barn owl British  

noun

1. any owl of the genus Tyto , esp T. alba , having a pale brown and white plumage, long slender legs, and a heart-shaped face: family Tytonidae

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Etymology

Origin of barn owl

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

barn owl

The force commissioned a forensic analysis of the dead kestrel and barn owl left on the doors and took DNA samples.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

A giant barn owl, a type of rodent called a hutia, and a burrowing bee entered a cave.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026

For those who struggle to tell a bushtit from a barn owl, the team has assembled resources to help distinguish between common local species and can answer individual questions via email.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2025

Juliet, a barn owl, lands on the arm of the best man at a wedding in England this spring.

From New York Times ● Jun. 5, 2024

Agnes, the barn owl who lived with her nestlings in my highest hollow, flapped her wings in annoyance.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate