1
a
: either of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy
b
2
: one of two persons or things closely related to or resembling each other
3
: a compound crystal composed of two adjoining crystals or parts of crystals of the same kind that share a common plane of atoms
twinned; twinning
1
: to bring forth twins
2
of a crystal
: to grow in a compound form with two adjoining sections that share a common plane of atoms
Synonyms
Examples of twin in a Sentence
Noun
She's the mother of twins.
The twins went swimming after lunch.
My sister just had twins.
Sarah and her brother are twins.
Adjective
the twin goals of reducing oil dependence and protecting the environment
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
His 7-year-old sister and three older brothers, 13-year-old twins and an 8-year-old, doted on him.
—Maria Cramer, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
The man who fathered Philippe's twins was part of the international assistance effort, a UN policeman on temporary assignment in Port-au-Prince.
—David Blood, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023
One scene is straight out of a French farce: Unbeknownst to either of Musk’s parenting partners, both are in the same hospital, one giving birth to his twins and the other helping a surrogate deliver another fruit of his loins.
—WIRED, 15 Sep. 2023
The software developer and his ex-wife divorced in 2015 but continued to battle in court over finances and custody of their 11-year-old twins until his death.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2023
His twin has even done things in the past to break up our relationship.
—Annie Lane, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Sep. 2023
The twins and a 6-year-old lived with Cunningham, his father, 35-year-old Antonio Davis, and Darby.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
Wilson then gave birth to triplets named Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006, two years after having their twins.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2023
Hazlitt, 20 Sep. 2023
Though his father, Jacques, an art expert, and his mother, Christine Philips, a historian and researcher, would often take him and his twin sister, Julie, and their brother, Quentin, on trips abroad — to China, Mali and Burkina Faso — Blazy discovered more adventures in stories and cartoons.
—Laura May Todd, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2023
Bode, who has a slim face framed by twin curtains of dark hair and speaks in a soft, helpful voice, like that of an expensive therapist, laughed until her face turned pink.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
In 2008, Irish’s twin sister Orish — who provided background vocals for 702 — died from kidney failure amid a battle with cancer at the age of 27.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2023
But after a growth spurt, the young prince is now a half-head taller than his twin sister!
—Peter Mikelbank, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
For Amber Johnston, Autumn's twin sister and the Princess Peach of the group, cosplaying has been a crucial part of her growth as an individual.
—Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2023
At $119 for a twin size up to $179 for an extra long king, this blanket falls somewhere in the middle of the best blankets on our list in terms of cost.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2023
Most of the talent from this year’s lineup of films isn’t at the festival because of the twin labor strikes that have left actors and screenwriters on the picket lines.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Sep. 2023
Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
Many departments now twin diversity and research statements and often include teaching statements.
—Michael Powell, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
The retired tennis pro is dad to twin daughters Myla and Charlene, 14, and twin sons Lenny and Leo, 9 with wife Mirka
Roger Federer is passing down his love of tennis to his kids.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
The birthday shoutout included a photo of the ladies smiling for an outdoor selfie, almost twinning with blonde tresses and navy blue tops.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023
The dynamic duo were twinning in matching protective gear, a safety move that's also super sweet.
—Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 29 Aug. 2023
Sons Mattias, 16, and Axel, 13, who were nearly twinning in blue suits, stood to Ferrell’s left, while wife Viveca and son Magnus, 19, stood to the actor’s right.
—USA TODAY, 13 July 2023
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below April 16, 2015 Crown Princess Mette-Marit twinned with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at Queen Margrethe's 75th birthday celebrations.
—Town & Country, 19 Aug. 2023
Sophie Turner is twinning with hubby Joe Jonas for his birthday.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Walter starred as Chessy, the twins' father Nick's (Dennis Quaid) housekeeper, while Hendrix portrayed Meredith, a younger woman who is engaged to Nick.
—Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
His 7-year-old sister and three older brothers, 13-year-old twins and an 8-year-old, doted on him.
—Maria Cramer, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
The man who fathered Philippe's twins was part of the international assistance effort, a UN policeman on temporary assignment in Port-au-Prince.
—David Blood, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023
One scene is straight out of a French farce: Unbeknownst to either of Musk’s parenting partners, both are in the same hospital, one giving birth to his twins and the other helping a surrogate deliver another fruit of his loins.
—WIRED, 15 Sep. 2023
The software developer and his ex-wife divorced in 2015 but continued to battle in court over finances and custody of their 11-year-old twins until his death.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2023
His twin has even done things in the past to break up our relationship.
—Annie Lane, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Sep. 2023
The twins and a 6-year-old lived with Cunningham, his father, 35-year-old Antonio Davis, and Darby.
—Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
Wilson then gave birth to triplets named Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006, two years after having their twins.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Curtis is standing next to the gap, the tail of one of the twin snakes.
—Hazlitt, 20 Sep. 2023
Though his father, Jacques, an art expert, and his mother, Christine Philips, a historian and researcher, would often take him and his twin sister, Julie, and their brother, Quentin, on trips abroad — to China, Mali and Burkina Faso — Blazy discovered more adventures in stories and cartoons.
—Laura May Todd, New York Times, 18 Sep. 2023
Bode, who has a slim face framed by twin curtains of dark hair and speaks in a soft, helpful voice, like that of an expensive therapist, laughed until her face turned pink.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
In 2008, Irish’s twin sister Orish — who provided background vocals for 702 — died from kidney failure amid a battle with cancer at the age of 27.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2023
But after a growth spurt, the young prince is now a half-head taller than his twin sister!
—Peter Mikelbank, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
For Amber Johnston, Autumn's twin sister and the Princess Peach of the group, cosplaying has been a crucial part of her growth as an individual.
—Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2023
At $119 for a twin size up to $179 for an extra long king, this blanket falls somewhere in the middle of the best blankets on our list in terms of cost.
—Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2023
Most of the talent from this year’s lineup of films isn’t at the festival because of the twin labor strikes that have left actors and screenwriters on the picket lines.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Sep. 2023
Verb
Choose from six colors, including neutral hues like white and gray, as well as pastels such as aqua and blush, all of which are available in sizes twin through California King.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
Many departments now twin diversity and research statements and often include teaching statements.
—Michael Powell, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
The retired tennis pro is dad to twin daughters Myla and Charlene, 14, and twin sons Lenny and Leo, 9 with wife Mirka
Roger Federer is passing down his love of tennis to his kids.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2023
The birthday shoutout included a photo of the ladies smiling for an outdoor selfie, almost twinning with blonde tresses and navy blue tops.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023
The dynamic duo were twinning in matching protective gear, a safety move that's also super sweet.
—Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 29 Aug. 2023
Sons Mattias, 16, and Axel, 13, who were nearly twinning in blue suits, stood to Ferrell’s left, while wife Viveca and son Magnus, 19, stood to the actor’s right.
—USA TODAY, 13 July 2023
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below April 16, 2015 Crown Princess Mette-Marit twinned with Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at Queen Margrethe's 75th birthday celebrations.
—Town & Country, 19 Aug. 2023
Sophie Turner is twinning with hubby Joe Jonas for his birthday.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'twin.' 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
Noun
Middle English, from twin twofold
Adjective
Middle English, twofold, double, from Old English twinn; akin to Old Norse tvinnr two by two, Old English twā two
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of twin was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing twin
Dictionary Entries Near twin
Cite this Entry
“Twin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twin. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
twin
1 of 3 adjective1
: born with one other or as a pair at one birth
my twin brother
twin girls
2
a
: made up of two similar, related, or connected members or parts
b
: being one of a pair
a twin city
twin
2 of 3 verb
twinned; twinning
: to produce or give birth to twins
twin
3 of 3 noun
: either of two offspring produced at a birth compare fraternal twin, identical twin
More from Merriam-Webster on twin
Nglish: Translation of twin for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of twin for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about twin
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