barn owl

noun

1. a yellowish-brown and white owl, Tyto alba, often inhabiting barns and other buildings.

barn owl

noun

1. any owl of the genus Tyto , esp T. alba , having a pale brown and white plumage, long slender legs, and a heart-shaped face: family Tytonidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of barn owl¹

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

Juliet, a barn owl, lands on the arm of the best man at a wedding in England this spring.

From New York Times

The bodies of around 50 dead hares, a barn owl and a kestrel were left outside Broughton Community Shop in Hampshire on 15 March.

From BBC

Police said tests showed the barn owl and kestrel, which are both legally protected, had been shot with a gun.

From BBC

The bodies of about 50 dead hares, a barn owl and a kestrel were dumped outside Broughton Community Shop in Hampshire earlier this month.

From BBC

An investigation by Hampshire Constabulary included examinations of the barn owl and kestrel, which revealed that both birds had been shot with a firearm.

From BBC