Calvin

American  

[kal-vin] / ˈkæl vɪn /

noun

1. John Jean Chauvin or Caulvin, 1509–64, French theologian and reformer in Switzerland: leader in the Protestant Reformation.

2. Melvin, 1911–97, U.S. chemist: Nobel Prize 1961.

3. a male given name: from a Latin word meaning “bald.”

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Calvin British  

/ ˈkælvɪn /

noun

1. John, original name Jean Cauvin, Caulvin, or Chauvin. 1509–64, French theologian: a leader of the Protestant Reformation in France and Switzerland, establishing the first presbyterian government in Geneva. His theological system is described in his Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536)

2. Melvin. 1911–97, US chemist, noted particularly for his research on photosynthesis: Nobel prize for chemistry 1961

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Calvin Scientific  

/ kăl′vĭn /

1. American chemist who won a Nobel Prize in 1961 for determining the chemical reactions that occur during photosynthesis. This series of reactions is now known as the Calvin cycle.

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Example Sentences

PVH cratered 23% after the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein owner cut its fiscal-year revenue guidance, citing the war in Iran.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

I don’t think I wore much Prada in the first two, three episodes, which makes sense, because she was just starting out at Calvin Klein.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Former Nike executive Heidi O’Neill is set to take the reins in September, after former CEO Calvin McDonald left in January.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

At the time, he was making the rounds promoting his campaign for Calvin Klein’s Eternity fragrance, which had been reformulated to reflect modern tastes.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

Maggie, Kate, Leah, Mother, and Calvin traveled by packet boat over 200 miles east to Albany, the capital city of New York State.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock