barn

noun

ˈbärn 

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 hotel …

—W. A. White

2

: a large building for the housing of a fleet of vehicles (such as trolley cars or trucks)

barnlike

ˈbärn-ˌlīk 

adjective

barny

ˈbär-nē 

adjective

Examples of barn in a Sentence

They live in a big barn of a house.

Recent Examples on the Web

Located behind a private gate, the 78-acre property pairs a 13,000-square-foot main residence with an equestrian arena, multiple barns, a guest house, and more. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 May 2026

The two-story barn is heated and has the capability for a workshop while the second floor is suited for recreation or a studio, the listing said. —Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026

Debris from the barn was carried more than 200 yards to the northeast. —Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026

Examples of wood treated with this process can be found in the wellness barn. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing barn

• barn burner
• barn dance
• barn lot
• barn owl
• barn raising
• barn swallow

Rhymes for barn

• arn
• barne
• carn
• darn
• garn
• karn
• skarn
• yarn

Kids Definition

barn

noun

ˈbärn 

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

Medical Definition

barn

noun

ˈbärn 

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