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, 11 Dec. 2024

Joshua Cooperman & Julie Henderson took the small round robin group for the title. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Some may even know that the state bird is a robin, or that the state flower is a violet. —Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024

Both Target's bold red and Tiffany & Co.'s robin egg blue belong to the Pantone color family. —Emma Bowman, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024

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

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