merlin

1 of 2

noun (1)

mer·​lin ˈmər-lən How to pronounce merlin (audio)
: a small compact falcon (Falco columbarius) of the northern hemisphere having a broad dark terminal band on the tail and upperparts that are slate blue in males and brown in females

Merlin

2 of 2

noun (2)

Mer·​lin ˈmər-lən How to pronounce Merlin (audio)
: a prophet and magician in Arthurian legend

Examples of merlin in a Sentence

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Noun
The Job Management Agent (JMA), meanwhile, handles scheduling and execution across LLNL’s supercomputers, using tools like the Flux scheduler and the Merlin workflow system. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2025 One parent was killed by a merlin, a small falcon that lives throughout the Great Lakes region. Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2023 Other Plum Island sightings were highlighted by an unseasonal merlin and a red-necked phalarope. BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023 Researchers from Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota have developed population models to show how controlling merlin and other nest predator populations could reduce the piping plover's risk of extinction, according to the Smithsonian. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2023
Noun
Late drama is nothing new at the Merseyside club, who required deal sheets to sign Merlin Rohl over the summer and to complete Carlos Alcaraz’s initial loan from Flamengo last January. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 The epic saga begins in Atlantis and gives us some origin story for Merlin, who then takes center stage before the coming of Arthur. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 ElevenLabs trained its music AI through deals with Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group, publishing platforms for independent artists. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026 About nine minutes later, the Falcon's upper stage reached its preliminary orbit and was on track to deploy its payload approximately an hour after leaving the ground, following a coast period and second burn of its Merlin engine. Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026 The Biff Dipper animatronic, the first robotic minifigure created by the Merlin Magic Making creative arm of the company, features nine body movements and 45 facial motions. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026 Scarlett Maguire, director of political consultancy Merlin Strategy, said the U-turns are the result of the party’s poor polling which has left Labour lawmakers fearful for the future of their jobs and jumpy about unpopular reforms. Will Standring, Bloomberg, 14 Jan. 2026 Among those who passed on representing Abrams was the Merlin Law Group, a firm with offices in 12 states, including Oklahoma. J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026 Beggars Group and Merlin founder Martin Mills will continue to serve as a director of Merlin Network, the organization’s parent entity, alongside Darius Van Arman, who continues as Merlin chairperson, and Merlin CEO Charlie Lexton. Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English merlioun, from Anglo-French merilun, alteration of esmerilun, diminutive of Old French esmeril, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German smiril merlin

Noun (2)

Medieval Latin Merlinus, from Middle Welsh Myrddin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of merlin was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Merlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merlin. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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