robin

noun

rob·​in ˈrä-bən 

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

Among bird species, the cameras spotted brown thrashers, northern cardinals (male), dark-eyed juncos, mourning doves, bluejays, Carolina wrens and many American robins. —Finian Curran/queens University News Service, Charlotte Observer, 9 May 2024

The Funny Girl star wore a robin's egg blue dress, adorned with white daisies and coupled with a poofy, ruffled robe. —Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

akin to Dutch dialect robijntje linnet, Frisian robyntsje

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing robin

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

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