robin

noun rob·in \ ˈrä-bən \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of robin

1 a : a small chiefly European thrush (Erithacus rubecula) resembling a warbler and having a brownish-olive back and orangish face and breast

b : any of various Old World songbirds that are related to or resemble the European robin

2 : a large North American thrush (Turdus migratorius) with olivaceous to slate-gray upperparts, blackish head and tail, black and whitish streaked throat, and dull reddish breast and underparts

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Recent Examples of robin from the Web

The snow has not been gone for that long, and the summer road-robins are training for 5Ks and 10Ks.

— john schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "What makes runners so ardent, and so plentiful? Maybe it’s the birch pollen," 29 May 2018
Look at his American robin: The feathers’ surfaces almost have a tactile nap; the colors are vital, even electric, without artifice.

— edward rothstein, WSJ, "‘Before Audubon: Alexander Wilson’s Birds of the United States’ Review: Ornithology Takes Flight," 21 May 2018
Literal paper flowers burst outside of four existing bodegas, with everything from sidewalk seating to traffic cones covered in a coat of unmistakable robin’s egg blue.

— The Cut, "Why “Tiffany Blue” Was All Over Instagram This Month," 18 May 2018
The event kicked off in the morning with a tennis round robin and featured boutique shopping, a raffle and luncheon for those in attendance.

— wells dusenbury, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Led by mother of Parkland shooting victim, Make Schools Safe fundraiser brings in more than $30K," 11 May 2018
The project is so big, that for a number of days earlier this month, coinciding with the release of his first collection for the jeweler, Krakoff turned yellow cabs, local bodegas, and subway steps Tiffany’s signature robin’s egg blue.

— nicole phelps, Vogue, "Reed and Delphine Krakoff Are Auctioning Off Their Claude Lalannes, Jean Prouvés, and Much More at Sotheby’s," 11 May 2018
Of 50 wildflowers within short range of the nature center, highlights include buttercups, shooting stars and western wake robin.

— tom stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Northern California hot spots for spring wildflowers," 12 Apr. 2018
Though the robin-size birds left quickly, their appearance was forever imprinted on local lore.

— kevin r. burgio, Washington Post, "The mysterious and tragic story of the Carolina parakeet, America’s only native parrot," 31 Mar. 2018
During the candidate forum, candidates will make opening and closing remarks, answer questions in a round robin question format and will have the opportunity to comment on every question, according to a news release from the Voter Awareness Council.

— michelle iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "VAC to host Shenandoah Mayoral Race Candidate Forum," 30 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of robin

akin to Dutch dialect robijntje linnet, Frisian robyntsje

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1550

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

ROBIN Defined for English Language Learners

robin

noun

Definition of robin for English Language Learners

: a North American bird with a grayish back and reddish breast
: a small European bird with a brownish back and orange face and breast

ROBIN Defined for Kids

robin

noun rob·in \ ˈrä-bən \

Definition of robin for Students

1 : a large North American songbird with a grayish back and dull reddish breast

2 : a small European songbird with an orange throat and breast

Learn More about robin

See words that rhyme with robin Spanish Central: Translation of robin Nglish: Translation of robin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of robin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about robin

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robin

Definition of robin

Recent Examples of robin from the Web

Origin and Etymology of robin

Other Birds Terms

ROBIN Defined for English Language Learners

robin

Definition of robin for English Language Learners

ROBIN Defined for Kids

robin

Definition of robin for Students

Learn More about robin

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