1
: a small Eurasian bird (Delichon urbica) of the swallow family with a forked tail, bluish-black head and back, and white rump and underparts
2
: any of various birds (especially genus Progne) of the swallow family other than the Eurasian martin compare purple martin
Examples of martin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The martins gather to form huge communal roosts at several sites in both Carolinas.
—
Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Become a Subscriber Modern martins have become downright trusting of people.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2023
Recent research has revealed that purple martins rely on larger insects for their food, including dragonflies; and dragonflies eat many more mosquitoes than martins do.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Mar. 2023
The favorite house has six pairs of nesters while two other houses just a year old do not have any martins.
—Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 30 Apr. 2020
Earth smells and the pungency of privet and balsam were still acute at this hour, unmingled; the shadows were as bold as in a child’s picture book; swifts and house martins tracked across the pale sky overhead, shrilling in thrilled anticipation.
—Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
During the day, purple martins fly in and out of the birdhouse in the backyard.
—Brantley Hargrove, Popular Mechanics, 3 Aug. 2017
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Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Become a Subscriber Modern martins have become downright trusting of people.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2023
Recent research has revealed that purple martins rely on larger insects for their food, including dragonflies; and dragonflies eat many more mosquitoes than martins do.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Mar. 2023
The favorite house has six pairs of nesters while two other houses just a year old do not have any martins.
—Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 30 Apr. 2020
Earth smells and the pungency of privet and balsam were still acute at this hour, unmingled; the shadows were as bold as in a child’s picture book; swifts and house martins tracked across the pale sky overhead, shrilling in thrilled anticipation.
—Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
During the day, purple martins fly in and out of the birdhouse in the backyard.
—Brantley Hargrove, Popular Mechanics, 3 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Martin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martin. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
martin
noun
mar·tin
ˈmärt-ᵊn 
: a small Eurasian swallow with a forked tail, bluish black head and back, a white underside, and a large white patch on the back at the base of the tail
also
: any of various related birds
Biographical Definition
Martin 1 of 6
biographical name (1)
Mar·tin
ˈmär-tᵊn
mär-ˈtaⁿ
Saint circa 316–397 Martin of Tours patron saint of France
Martin
2 of 6biographical name (2)
Mar·tin
ˈmär-tᵊn
Archer John Porter 1910–2002 British chemist
Martin
3 of 6biographical name (3)
Glenn Luther 1886–1955 American airplane manufacturer
Martin
4 of 6biographical name (4)
Joseph William 1884–1968 American publisher and politician
Martin
5 of 6biographical name (5)
Micheál 1960- prime minister of Ireland (2020–2022)
Martin
6 of 6biographical name (6)
Mar·tin
ˈmär-tᵊn
mär-ˈtaⁿ
Paul (Edgar Philippe) 1938– prime minister of Canada (2003–06)
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