Barn

/bɑrn/

Meaning & Definition

noun
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.
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.

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

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!