merlin

1 of 2

noun (1)

mer·​lin ˈmər-lən 

: 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 

: a prophet and magician in Arthurian legend

Examples of merlin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Every version of Merlin the wizard, spanning an expansive gender spectrum. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

This includes Typhoon and F-35 jets, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and advanced counter-drone and air defence systems. — Elaine Mallon, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Sacramento’s smallest zoo Alali now lives in Natomas with her fiancé, Alex Saraceno, along with Merlin; a girl group of rats named Monica, Moira and Amy; a former prison pigeon named Al Capone; a bearded dragon named Muffy; and a dog named Maverick. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2026

Sunnylyn Thibodeaux; Christian Wessels, a mythical Merlin based in Rochester, New York. — Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 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