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martin

noun
mar·​tin | \ ˈmär-tᵊn How to pronounce martin (audio) \

Definition of martin

 (Entry 1 of 6)

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

Martin

biographical name (1)
Mar·​tin | \ ˈmär-tᵊn How to pronounce Martin (audio) , mär-ˈtaⁿ\

Definition of Martin (Entry 2 of 6)

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

Martin

biographical name (2)
Mar·​tin | \ ˈmär-tᵊn How to pronounce Martin (audio) \

Definition of Martin (Entry 3 of 6)

Archer John Porter 1910–2002 British chemist

Martin

biographical name (3)

Definition of Martin (Entry 4 of 6)

Glenn Luther 1886–1955 American airplane manufacturer

Martin

biographical name (4)

Definition of Martin (Entry 5 of 6)

Joseph William 1884–1968 American publisher and politician

Martin

biographical name (5)
Mar·​tin | \ ˈmär-tᵊn How to pronounce Martin (audio) , mär-ˈtaⁿ\

Definition of Martin (Entry 6 of 6)

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

Examples of martin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 During the day, purple martins fly in and out of the birdhouse in the backyard. — Brantley Hargrove, Popular Mechanics, "How to Stop the Wind," 3 Aug. 2017 In some species of bird, such as the purple martin, a male will allow another male to occupy part of his territory in exchange for help raising his young. — Ben Crair, Bloomberg.com, "The Secret Economic Lives of Animals," 1 Aug. 2017 Much of the prosecutorial strategy depends on how much leeway the military judge provides Martins to use Khan. — Spencer Ackerman, WIRED, "9/11 Snitch Springs U.S. From Torture Trial Trap," 9 Apr. 2012 Martins declined comment through the Pentagon’s war court spokesman, Air Force Maj. — Carol Rosenberg, miamiherald, "U.S. charges Hambali at Guantánamo with Bali, Jakarta terrorist bombings," 23 June 2017 Martins said the contract between Disney and the Magic includes provisions for renewal if the league decides to continue the program after the 2019-20 season. — Josh Robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney becomes Magic jersey sponsor," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'martin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of martin

Noun

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for martin

Noun

probably from St. Martin

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More Definitions for martin

martin

noun
How to pronounce Martin (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of martin

: a small bird that is related to the swallows

See the full definition for martin in the English Language Learners Dictionary

martin

noun
mar·​tin | \ ˈmär-tᵊn How to pronounce martin (audio) \

Kids Definition of martin

1 : a European swallow with a forked tail
2 : any of several birds (as the North American purple martin ) resembling or related to the true martin

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More from Merriam-Webster on martin

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with martin

Spanish Central: Translation of martin

Nglish: Translation of martin for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of martin for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about martin

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