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

Even if robins and cardinals are a favorite, nothing compares to the tiny beauty of hummingbirds. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

South Korea had beaten the U.S. team during round robin play on Saturday, 10-1. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026

By the early 20th century, and undoubtedly before that, the sight of an advertisement for bock beer, usually depicting a goat, became as ubiquitous a sign of spring as seeing the first robin. —Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026

Had Switzerland beaten the Czechs in the preliminary round in regulation instead of overtime, the tiebreak for that fourth spot and the bye would have come down to goal differential between the Swiss and Finns, the two second-place teams with two wins after the round robin. —James Mirtle, New York Times, 26 Feb. 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