barnstorm

verb

barn·​storm ˈbärn-ˌstȯrm How to pronounce barnstorm (audio)
barnstormed; barnstorming; barnstorms

intransitive verb

1
: to tour through rural districts staging usually theatrical performances
2
: to travel from place to place making brief stops (as in a political campaign or a promotional tour)
3
: to pilot one's airplane in sightseeing flights with passengers or in exhibition stunts in an unscheduled course especially in rural districts

transitive verb

: to travel across while barnstorming
barnstormer noun

Examples of barnstorm in a Sentence

He spent the months leading up to the election barnstorming around the country. The national soccer team barnstormed through the country.
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.
The 97th Academy Awards are on March 2, which means film industry executives and publicists will spend the next few months barnstorming America’s movie capital lobbying for support from the nearly 10,000 members who vote on the Oscars. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024 Both candidates have barnstormed the states in the closing days of the campaign, making their final pitches to voters. Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2024 Like many, flying has never been my favorite activity, but my discomfort in a cramped coach seat pales in comparison to barnstorming in an open-cockpit WACO UPF-7 1939 biplane at Bealeton, Virginia's Flying Circus Airshow. Kinsey Gidick, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024 The events page on his campaign website has had nothing listed. Biden, meanwhile, has been barnstorming the country. Zeke Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for barnstorm 

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of barnstorm was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near barnstorm

Cite this Entry

“Barnstorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barnstorm. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

barnstorm

verb
barn·​storm ˈbärn-ˌstȯrm How to pronounce barnstorm (audio)
: to travel through the country making brief stops to entertain (as with shows or flying stunts) or to campaign for political office
barnstormer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on barnstorm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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