robin

noun

rob·​in ˈrä-bən 

plural robins

1

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

called also American robin

2

a

: a small chiefly European Old World flycatcher (Erithacus rubecula) 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

Examples of robin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The auction morphed into various forms, replete with its own strategies and schools of thought around best bids and round robins. —Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

Flocks of hungry robins and cedar waxwings descend like storms on fruiting dogwoods. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026

Some other names include wake robin, perhaps a reference to the American robin with its red breast and toadshade, because its camouflaged-looking leaves are the right size to hide a toad. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Standing on the balcony with me, Rohan pointed out an orange-flanked bush robin, which had an electric-blue body and two tufts of orange under the wings, and a great barbet, equally vibrant with green, turquoise, and brown feathers. —Elizabeth Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

akin to Dutch dialect robijntje linnet, Frisian robyntsje

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing robin

• American robin
• ragged robin
• robin redbreast
• round-robin
• sea robin
• wake-robin

Rhymes for robin

• bobbin
• dobbin
• robbin

Kids Definition

robin

noun

rob·​in ˈräb-ən 

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