barn dance

American  

noun

1. a social gathering, originally held in a barn, and including square dances, round dances, and hoedown music.

2. any party featuring country dances, dress, music, etc.

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barn dance British  

noun

1. a progressive round country dance

2. a party with hoedown music and square-dancing

3. a party featuring country dancing

4. a disco or party held in a barn

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Etymology

Origin of barn dance

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

Another fundraising event, a Dance for Meg barn dance, will be held in her home town of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on 12 August - on what would have been Ms Newborough's 26th birthday.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2023

In 1979, the Mudds held a barn dance with a country music band.

From Washington Post • Jan. 28, 2022

We had met at a barn dance at my army camp in County Durham while we were still kids, and we’d lived all over together, before settling back with our two children in Britain.

From The Guardian • Nov. 3, 2019

When a round of construction was completed in 1954, Tiffany’s grandfather held a barn dance to celebrate.

From Washington Times • May 21, 2016

One other thing happened at that barn dance that made a great impression on Johnny.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes