barn swallow
noun
: a swallow (Hirundo rustica of the family Hirundinidae) that is widespread in the northern hemisphere, has a deeply forked tail, and often nests in or near buildings
Examples of barn swallow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers have used it to discover, for example, that only about 40 percent of fledgling barn swallows in southern Ontario survive to migrate.
—
Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
After all, the virus infects not just domestic animals, but wild ones, too: It could be carried by a pigeon or a barn swallow.
—Eric Boodman, STAT, 16 July 2024
One of my fondest memories was creating a small painting of a barn swallow on the back of a cigar box and trading it to a chef in Charlottesville for a steak dinner and a foaming glass of beer.
—Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 9 July 2024
As their name suggests, barn swallows prefer to nest inside buildings, and usually return to the same spot each year, repairing nesting cups sculpted from mud and clay.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Two early barn swallows were reported in Chatham and a very early purple martin was in Mashpee.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2023
There are 15 barn swallow nests.
—Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 11 Aug. 2020
Bristol County: Luminaries included a greater white-fronted goose in Fairhaven, two clapper rails at Egypt Lane in Fairhaven, three tree swallows at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth, and a late barn swallow in Easton.
—BostonGlobe.com, 13 Nov. 2021
At the North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, a barn swallow and a Northern rough-winged swallow were sighted, and two soras were seen at the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Oct. 2021
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.
Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
After all, the virus infects not just domestic animals, but wild ones, too: It could be carried by a pigeon or a barn swallow.
—Eric Boodman, STAT, 16 July 2024
One of my fondest memories was creating a small painting of a barn swallow on the back of a cigar box and trading it to a chef in Charlottesville for a steak dinner and a foaming glass of beer.
—Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 9 July 2024
As their name suggests, barn swallows prefer to nest inside buildings, and usually return to the same spot each year, repairing nesting cups sculpted from mud and clay.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
Two early barn swallows were reported in Chatham and a very early purple martin was in Mashpee.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2023
There are 15 barn swallow nests.
—Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 11 Aug. 2020
Bristol County: Luminaries included a greater white-fronted goose in Fairhaven, two clapper rails at Egypt Lane in Fairhaven, three tree swallows at Allens Pond in South Dartmouth, and a late barn swallow in Easton.
—BostonGlobe.com, 13 Nov. 2021
At the North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield, a barn swallow and a Northern rough-winged swallow were sighted, and two soras were seen at the Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Oct. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near barn swallow
Cite this Entry
“Barn swallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barn%20swallow. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share