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, 18 Dec. 2024

Lopez layered a robin’s egg blue Gucci blazer with peak lapels and velvet trim over a sheer tie-bow blouse. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 17 Dec. 2024

And these are not just your common backyard varieties, like robins and bluejays, but rare forest species that birdwatchers around the world yearn to see. —Benji Jones, Vox, 4 Dec. 2024

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