Barn

/bɑrn/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A building used for various agricultural purposes.
They converted an old barn into a workshop for woodworking.
A large shed or an open-sided structure for storing equipment or vehicles.
The tractor was parked in the barn to protect it from the elements.
A large farm building used for storing grain, livestock, or hay.
The farmer stored all the hay bales in the barn before the winter.
A building for housing animals, especially livestock.
The barn was filled with cows, sheep, and chickens.

Etymology

From Old English 'berna' meaning 'storehouse for barley'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

barn door
A large, sliding door commonly found on barns, often used metaphorically to describe something that's open to access.
red barn
A culturally iconic image representing rural life in America.
bring home the bacon
To earn a living or provide for one's family, deriving from barnyard domesticity.

Related Words

stable
A building where horses are kept.
silo
A tall structure used for storing grain.
farmhouse
A house on a farm, often associated with the barn.

Slang Meanings

To 'barn' something means to store it quickly.
I need to barn these supplies before it rains.
Used to describe a large, messy space.
His room looks like a barn!