house martin

American  

noun

1. a small European swallow, Delichon urbica, that builds its nest under the eaves of houses.

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house martin British  

noun

1. a Eurasian swallow, Delichon urbica, with a slightly forked tail and a white and bluish-black plumage

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Etymology

Origin of house martin

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Shorter and more compact than a swallow, the house martin is found in urban areas.

From The Guardian • Apr. 16, 2020

In 2002, during the men's doubles semi-final, France's Michael Llodra smashed his racket into a passing house martin.

From The Guardian • Jan. 19, 2011

Most likely to be either a sand martin or house martin.

From The Guardian • Jul. 16, 2010

If a horse stopped for no ascertained reason or if a house martin fell they wondered what it portended.

From The Life of Sir Richard Burton by Wright, Thomas

Along came a house martin, the kind of swallow that has a white band across his back, flying very low, and only just above the grass.

From Wood Magic A Fable by Jefferies, Richard