A farm building used for storing grain, hay, and livestock.
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A barn is an agricultural building used for storing grain, hay, and straw, housing livestock, and sheltering equipment. The word derives from the Old English bereærn, a compound of bere ('barley') and ærn ('house'), originally meaning a barley store. Barns vary widely by region and purpose: the English timber-framed barn, the American gambrel-roofed barn, the Swiss chalet-style barn, and the Dutch bank barn built into a hillside are notable types. Traditional barns feature large doors, high lofts for hay, and stalls for animals, often with hand-hewn beams and peg joinery. In the 19th and 20th centuries, dairy barns, tobacco barns, and potato barns developed specialised designs. Modern farms often use metal pole barns and machine sheds instead, while historic barns are preserved as heritage structures or converted into homes, event venues, and studios. Barns remain cultural symbols of rural life and are protected in many countries by preservation trusts.
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