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

Vintage Tennis: Round robin matches for men and women 60 or older. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025

The Audubon Society has been conducting an annual bird count around Christmas for 124 years that has also noted Minnesota robins and Canadian geese are migrating less. —Nick Halter, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025

Joshua Cooperman teamed with Michael Moon to take the Senior Open doubles round robin competition and secure the double for Cooperman on the weekend. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025

No matter, the robins are arriving, the sun is climbing higher in the sky and warm days are sure to come soon. —Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

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