robin

noun

rob·​in ˈrä-bən How to pronounce robin (audio)
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

Examples of robin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Only a little bigger than a robin, these bird’s are related to other shorebirds like the Wilson’s snipe. Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 18 Oct. 2023 The invitation's symbolic features continue with a wildflower meadow border that includes cornflowers, wild strawberries, lily of the valley, bluebells, dog roses and rosemary sprig with a ladybird, a wren, a butterfly, a bee and a robin. Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2023 An orange-headed condor with black wings Was lifting Her to one of those California skies, the color Of robins’ eggs. Ishmael Reed, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2023 Spelling tests, spelling bees, spelling round robins. Robert Klose, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Sep. 2023 The two-stage event will feature three groups of six teams playing in a round robin format, with a playoff round to follow. oregonlive, 15 Apr. 2023 Record numbers of American robins and cedar waxwings have thrilled nature lovers as the birds swarmed into local gardens the past few weeks. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2023 Wisconsin: American robin The American robin is Wisconsin's state bird. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023 In 1963, Charles F. Wurster held a trembling robin that died moments later in his hands. Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'robin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

akin to Dutch dialect robijntje linnet, Frisian robyntsje

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of robin was circa 1550

Dictionary Entries Near robin

Cite this Entry

“Robin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/robin. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

robin

noun
rob·​in ˈräb-ən How to pronounce robin (audio)
1
: a small European thrush with an orange red face, throat, and breast
2
: a large North American thrush with a grayish back and head and a brick red breast

More from Merriam-Webster on robin

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