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
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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barn swallow was in 1851

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 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

barn swallow

noun
: a common swallow that often nests in barns
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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