barnburner

[ bahrn-bur-ner ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Informal. something that is highly exciting, impressive, etc.:
The All Stars game was a real barnburner.
Chiefly Pennsylvania. a wooden friction match.
(initial capital letter) a member of the progressive faction in the Democratic Party in New York State 1845–52. Compare Hunker.

1835–45, Americanism; barn ¹ + burner; barnburner ( def 3 ) so called with reference to burning down a barn to get rid of rats

They rely more on the strength of their ideas than barnburner narratives.

But how many of you can honestly say you think that second Nixon term was just a barnburner?

It offered to admit the Barnburner and Hunker delegations together to cast the vote of the State.

We cannot insist on a mission for him and the collectorship for a Barnburner.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse