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

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

Those hoping Burke's raw pace or Calvin Miller's ability to beat a player could put them into contention didn't reckon with Clarke's way of doing things.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

He snapped over 10,000 photos, including cityscapes of Philadelphia and New York, along with President Calvin Coolidge’s 1928 visit to Havana.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

And there’s a freshman at Harvard-Westlake, Calvin Portley, who ran 10.69 at Monday’s prelims.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

During the service, when Calvin played “Amazing Grace,” I could hear that cloud of bugs buzzing toward Sassafras Springs.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney