barnstorming
|barn-storm-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈbɑrnˌstɔrmɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈbɑːnˌstɔːmɪŋ/
(barnstorm)
tour or perform energetically
Etymology
'barnstorm' originates from English, formed by combining 'barn' and 'storm' (the verb 'to storm' in the sense 'to assault or rush into').
'barnstorm' first appeared in late 19th-century and early 20th-century American English to describe theatrical troupes performing in barns and other makeshift venues; in the 1910s the term extended to pilots who traveled doing aerial stunts (called 'barnstormers'), and later it was used for energetic political campaigning.
Initially, it meant 'to perform in barns or rush into rural venues'; over time it broadened to mean 'to tour energetically' (for performers, pilots doing stunts, or politicians making rapid appearances) and also came to describe a rousing or spectacular performance.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a tour of small towns by performers or a travelling entertainment troupe, especially performances in barns or makeshift venues.
They made a living by barnstorming through rural communities.
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Noun 2
a series of flying stunts or aerial displays performed by pilots touring towns (early aviation context).
The barnstorming at the county fair drew huge crowds.
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Verb 1
to travel around giving performances in small towns or venues; to tour energetically.
The troupe spent the autumn barnstorming across the region.
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Verb 2
to make an energetic series of political speeches or appearances in different places as part of a campaign.
The candidate has been barnstorming the swing states all week.
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Adjective 1
(Informal) Spectacular, rousing, or crowd-pleasing (often describing a performance or event).
The show was a barnstorming success from start to finish.
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Last updated: 2026/01/17 20:30