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  • martin
    martin
    noun
    any of several swallows having a deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings.
  • Martin
    Martin
    noun
    Archer John Porter 1910–2002, English biochemist: Nobel Prize in chemistry 1952.

martin

1 American  
[mahr-tn] / ˈmɑr tn /

noun

martins plural
  1. any of several swallows having a deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings.


Martin 2 American  
[mahr-tn] / ˈmɑr tn /

noun

  1. Archer John Porter 1910–2002, English biochemist: Nobel Prize in chemistry 1952.

  2. Frank, 1890–1974, Swiss composer.

  3. Glenn Luther, 1886–1955, U.S. airplane designer and manufacturer.

  4. Homer Dodge, 1836–97, U.S. painter.

  5. Joseph W(illiam) Jr., 1884–1968, U.S. political leader and publisher: Speaker of the House 1947–49, 1953–55.

  6. Mary, 1913–90, U.S. actress and musical comedy star.

  7. Saint, a.d. 316?–397, French prelate: bishop of Tours 370?–397.

  8. a male given name: from the name of the Roman god Mars.


Martin 1 British  
/ ˈmɑːtɪn /

noun

  1. Archer John Porter. 1910–2002, British biochemist; Nobel prize for chemistry 1952 (with Richard Synge; 1914–94) for developing paper chromatography (1944). He subsequently developed gas chromatography (1953)

  2. Chris(topher Anthony John) . born 1977, British rock musician, lead singer of Coldplay; married to the US actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

  3. Frank. 1890–1974, Swiss composer. He used a modified form of the twelve-note technique in some of his works, which include Petite Symphonie Concertante (1946) and the oratorio Golgotha (1949)

  4. Sir George ( Henry ). born 1926, British record producer and arranger, noted for his work with the Beatles

  5. John. 1789–1854, British painter, noted for his visionary landscapes and large-scale works with biblical subjects

  6. Michael ( John ). Baron. born 1945, Scottish Labour politician; speaker of the House of Commons (2000–09)

  7. Paul ( Edgar Philippe ). born 1938, Canadian Liberal politician; prime minister of Canada (2003–06)

  8. Saint. called Saint Martin of Tours. ?316–?397 ad , bishop of Tours (?371–?397); a patron saint of France. He furthered monasticism in Gaul. Feast day: Nov 11 or 12

  9. Steve ( n ). born 1945, US film actor and comedian; his films include The Jerk (1979), Roxanne (1987), and Bowfinger ) (1999)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

martin 2 British  
/ ˈmɑːtɪn /

noun

  1. any of various swallows of the genera Progne, Delichon, Riparia, etc, having a square or slightly forked tail See also house martin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of martin

1425–75; late Middle English ( Scots ) martoune; presumably generic use of the personal name (< French < Late Latin Martīnus ), traditionally by association with March ( Latin Mārtius ), when the bird arrives, and Martinmas, when it leaves; though Middle English, Old French martinet has been applied to a variety of birds; compare French martin-pêcheur kingfisher

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

General Motors and Lockheed Martin are collaborating on expanding military manufacturing capacity.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026

Browne-Marshall observed how the same FBI that covertly targeted Martin Luther King and other civil rights activists for subterfuge also prosecuted the KKK and investigated the death of civil rights workers.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2026

In her return to Golden State, Sparks development player Kate Martin was the lone player with a positive plus/minus at plus-five in the ninth of her 12 allotted games.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

Ian McIntyre, 31, Kieran Doherty, 30, Calum McKelvie, 29, Jack Sanderson, 34, and Martin Tracey, 31, were all remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

“I heard that David Martin wants to marry you?”

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

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