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

The big picture: With the road to the White House running through Pennsylvania, both Harris and former President Trump spent much of Monday barnstorming the Keystone State. —Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Although Trump, Harris and their most prominent endorsers have barnstormed Arizona in the final weeks of the race, the group of voters that was both likely to vote and up for grabs was relatively small. —Stephanie Murray, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Barack Obama to campaign for Kamala Harris in Milwaukee on Sunday Both campaigns have barnstormed the state since Republicans held their nominating convention in Milwaukee and Harris launched her campaign for president within days of each other in July. —Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024

Advertisement Harris and Trump have been barnstorming through swing states. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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