barn owl

noun

: a widely distributed owl (Tyto alba) that has plumage mottled buff brown and gray above and chiefly white below, frequents barns and other buildings, and preys especially on rodents

Examples of barn owl in a Sentence

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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.
That puts it at about the size of a barn owl. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 June 2026 Spot local heron species, barn owls, wood ducks and more. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026 The youngest is a barn owl that was found with bite marks on her after her nest was attacked. — Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026 Jian changmaensis was likely the size of a barn owl. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for barn owl

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barn owl was in 1674

Rhymes for barn owl

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Browse Nearby Words

barnman
barn owl
barn raising
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Cite this Entry

“Barn owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barn%20owl. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

barn owl

noun
: a widely distributed owl with brown, gray, and white feathers that is found near barns and other buildings and preys especially on rodents

More from Merriam-Webster on barn owl

Nglish: Translation of barn owl for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barn owl

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