barn owl

noun

: a widely distributed owl (Tyto alba) that has plumage mottled buff brown and gray above and chiefly white below, frequents barns and other buildings, and preys especially on rodents

Examples of barn owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At night, palpable silence consumes the area, briefly interrupted by hooting barn owls and the sound of rain falling on the leaves. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 17 June 2024 After returning to Highland Safaris, walk to the adjacent Red Deer Center to meet a barn owl and feed members of a tame red-deer herd. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Popular with farmers, barn owls feast mostly on rodents, swallowing them whole. Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024 Bonnet Carre Spillway in Norco: More than 260 species have been observed in the area, including bald eagles, Baltimore orioles and barn owls. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for barn owl 

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barn owl was in 1674

Dictionary Entries Near barn owl

Cite this Entry

“Barn owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barn%20owl. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

barn owl

noun
: a widely distributed owl with brown, gray, and white feathers that is found near barns and other buildings and preys especially on rodents

More from Merriam-Webster on barn owl

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!