martin

noun

mar·​tin ˈmär-tᵊn 

1

: a small Eurasian bird (Delichon urbica) of the swallow family with a forked tail, bluish-black head and back, and white rump and underparts

2

: any of various birds (especially genus Progne) of the swallow family other than the Eurasian martin compare purple martin

Examples of martin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The martins gather to form huge communal roosts at several sites in both Carolinas. —Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

Become a Subscriber Modern martins have become downright trusting of people. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2023

Recent research has revealed that purple martins rely on larger insects for their food, including dragonflies; and dragonflies eat many more mosquitoes than martins do. —Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Mar. 2023

Recent research has revealed that purple martins rely on larger insects for their food, including dragonflies; and dragonflies eat many more mosquitoes than martins do. —Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Mar. 2023

The favorite house has six pairs of nesters while two other houses just a year old do not have any martins. —Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 30 Apr. 2020

Sparrows and martins squabble but eventually share the house. —Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 27 Feb. 2020

Earth smells and the pungency of privet and balsam were still acute at this hour, unmingled; the shadows were as bold as in a child’s picture book; swifts and house martins tracked across the pale sky overhead, shrilling in thrilled anticipation. —Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019

During the day, purple martins fly in and out of the birdhouse in the backyard. —Brantley Hargrove, Popular Mechanics, 3 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

probably from St. Martin

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing martin

• purple martin

Kids Definition

martin

noun

mar·​tin ˈmärt-ᵊn 

: a small Eurasian swallow with a forked tail, bluish black head and back, a white underside, and a large white patch on the back at the base of the tail

also : any of various related birds

Biographical Definition

Martin 1 of 6

biographical name (1)

Mar·​tin ˈmär-tᵊn 

mär-ˈtaⁿ

Saint circa 316–397 Martin of Tours patron saint of France

Martin

2 of 6

biographical name (2)

Mar·​tin ˈmär-tᵊn 

Archer John Porter 1910–2002 British chemist

Martin

3 of 6

biographical name (3)

Glenn Luther 1886–1955 American airplane manufacturer

Martin

4 of 6

biographical name (4)

Joseph William 1884–1968 American publisher and politician

Martin

5 of 6

biographical name (5)

Micheál 1960-     prime minister of Ireland (2020–2022)

Martin

6 of 6

biographical name (6)

Mar·​tin ˈmär-tᵊn 

mär-ˈtaⁿ

Paul (Edgar Philippe) 1938–     prime minister of Canada (2003–06)