marten

noun

mar·​ten ˈmär-tᵊn 

plural marten or martens

1

: any of several semiarboreal slender-bodied carnivorous mammals (genus Martes) of the weasel family that occur in the northern hemisphere

2

: the fur or pelt of a marten

Examples of marten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ranch also may be home to threatened or endangered species, including Canada lynx, American marten, snowshoe hare and Gunnison’s prairie dog. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 June 2026

Otters are part of the weasel family (Mustelidae), which includes some of nature’s most ferocious pint-sized predators, such as badgers, martens, and wolverines. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Apr. 2026

The coastal marten, also known as the Humboldt marten, is about the size of a ferret and lives in coastal forests. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

Forty-six different martens, consisting of 28 males and 18 females, were found following genetic analysis of hair, per the OSU release. — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English martryn, from Anglo-French martrine marten fur, from Old French martre marten, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English mearth marten

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing marten

• baum marten
• pine marten

Rhymes for marten

• carton
• garten
• parton
• spartan
• tartan
• kindergarten

Kids Definition

marten

noun

mar·​ten ˈmärt-ᵊn 

plural marten or martens

: a slender flesh-eating mammal that is larger than the related weasels and has soft gray or brown fur

also : its fur