barnstorm

verb

barn·​storm ˈbärn-ˌstȯrm 

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

In their early 20s, Page and Jones spent countless hours performing everything from Muzak to James Bond theme songs as London studio musicians, while teenage West Midlands buddies Plant and Bonham barnstormed around the countryside in a variety of bar bands. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

To control the damage and prove his mettle, Hegseth barnstormed the Capitol for meetings with mostly Republican senators. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2025

Members of his Cabinet are not planning to barnstorm the country, either. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025

After being awarded the Medal of Honor, O’Hare was brought home by the Navy to barnstorm on a Lindbergh-style celebrity tour. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for barnstorm

• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• perform
• planform
• platform
• preform

Kids Definition

barnstorm

verb

barn·​storm ˈbärn-ˌstȯrm 

: to travel through the country making brief stops to entertain (as with shows or flying stunts) or to campaign for political office

barnstormer noun