martian

adjective

mar·​tian ˈmär-shən How to pronounce martian (audio)
often capitalized
: of or relating to the planet Mars or its hypothetical inhabitants
martian noun often capitalized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Similarly, while martian winds sculpt the landscape just as terrestrial winds do, Mars’ atmosphere is much thinner and its winds subsequently much weaker. Alison Klesman, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2022 In 1996, for example, NASA announced that the martian meteorite ALH 84001 showed signs of fossilized microbial life. Steven Poole, WSJ, 23 Mar. 2022 The team also wants the cache to include a tube containing nothing but air, an important resource for those who study the martian atmosphere. Byeric Hand, science.org, 20 Sep. 2022 After months of spaceflight, an 8-minute planetary plunge, and weeks of Mars exploration, NASA’s Perseverance rover is beginning its primary scientific task: drilling out a finger-size core of martian rock from a former lakebed for return to Earth. Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 21 July 2021 After a final check, the blades adjusted their pitch and managed to beat enough of the thin martian air to rise. Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 19 Apr. 2021 A few hours ago, in the middle of the martian daytime, Ingenuity, NASA’s $80 million small helicopter, furiously spun its rotors, rose in the air and hovered. Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, 19 Apr. 2021 Baccolo wants to use Antarctic cores investigate whether ancient martian ice were cauldrons for the formation of other minerals. Tess Joosse, Science | AAAS, 26 Jan. 2021 In addition to helping monitor and diagnose problems on the rover (knowing how the hardware sounds will help with troubleshooting), the mic could also help NASA better understand the martian environment. Eric Adams, Wired, 17 Feb. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'martian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of martian was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near martian

Cite this Entry

“Martian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martian. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

Martian

adjective
Mar·​tian
ˈmär-shən
: of or relating to the planet Mars or its supposed inhabitants
Martian noun

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