1
a
: a usually large building for the storage of farm products or feed and usually for the housing of farm animals or farm equipment
b
: an unusually large and usually bare building
a great barn of a hotelW. A. White
2
: a large building for the housing of a fleet of vehicles (such as trolley cars or trucks)
barnlike adjective
barny adjective

Examples of barn in a Sentence

They live in a big barn of a house.
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.
For riders, the focus is less on development politics and more on the daily grind: early mornings in the barn or the thrill of clearing every jump, scoring a perfect round. Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025 The State Fair heeded the call this summer, Reis said, giving livestock contest participants more time to set up in the cavernous barn, more passes for guests to access the fairgrounds, and bedding for the animals. Ethan Wolin july 20, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025 In the barn July 29 to Aug. 3. Barnyard fashion parade: Take in this runway show at 6 p.m. Aug. 6 in the livestock show ring. Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 19 July 2025 Every structure—the main house, guest cabins, even the tractor barn—has been meticulously remodeled. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for barn

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bern, from Old English bereærn, from bere barley + ærn house, store

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of barn was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Barn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barn. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

barn

noun
: a building used chiefly for storing grain and hay and for housing farm animals or farm equipment

Medical Definition

barn

noun
: a unit of area equal to 10−24 square centimeters that is used in nuclear physics for measuring cross section

More from Merriam-Webster on barn

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