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 six-team, barnstorming Banana Ball Championship League, headed by the Savannah Bananas, will play exhibitions in the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Tijuana and the Canadian cities of Winnipeg and Toronto. — Jim Halley, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026

The Savannah Bananas and five other teams in their barnstorming style of rollicking baseball entertainment have scheduled stops in Canada and Mexico next year. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

De La Cruz is attempting to stave off a potent challenge in the neighboring 15th District from Tejano music star Bobby Pulido, who is barnstorming the district one quinceañera at a time. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Nationals Park will host the barnstorming baseball league’s inaugural title game. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

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