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barn owl
noun
: a widely distributed owl (Tyto alba) that has plumage mottled buff brown and gray above and chiefly white below, frequents barns and other buildings, and preys especially on rodents
Examples of barn owl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After returning to Highland Safaris, walk to the adjacent Red Deer Center to meet a barn owl and feed members of a tame red-deer herd.
—Catherine Garcia, theweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Popular with farmers, barn owls feast mostly on rodents, swallowing them whole.
—Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
Bonnet Carre Spillway in Norco: More than 260 species have been observed in the area, including bald eagles, Baltimore orioles and barn owls.
—Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
With a major wildfire burning near his mountain town east of Los Angeles, Cowboy the barn owl was unaware of the danger and instead having the adventure of a lifetime.
—Jaimie Ding and Jae Hong, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1674, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near barn owl
Cite this Entry
“Barn owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barn%20owl. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
barn owl
noun
: a widely distributed owl with brown, gray, and white feathers that is found near barns and other buildings and preys especially on rodents
More from Merriam-Webster on barn owl
Nglish: Translation of barn owl for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barn owl
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