marten

American  

[mahr-tn] / ˈmɑr tn /

noun

plural

martens,

plural

marten

1. any of several slender, chiefly arboreal carnivores of the genus Martes, of northern forests, having a long, glossy coat and bushy tail.

2. the fur of such an animal, generally a dark brown.

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marten British  

/ ˈmɑːtɪn /

noun

1. any of several agile arboreal musteline mammals of the genus Martes, of Europe, Asia, and North America, having bushy tails and golden brown to blackish fur See also pine marten

2. the highly valued fur of these animals, esp that of M. americana

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Etymology

Origin of marten

1375–1425; < Middle Low German, equivalent to mart marten (cognate with Old English mearth ) + -en -en ⁵; replacing late Middle English martren < Middle French martrine marten fur, noun use of feminine of martrin pertaining to a marten, equivalent to martre marten (< Germanic; compare German Marder ) + -in -in ¹

Example Sentences

Each pine marten has been fitted with a radio collar so researchers can follow their fortunes over the next six to nine months.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

Pine marten researchers Johnny Birks and John Martin are trying to establish if pine martens can thrive in productive timber forests.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2024

Sixteen of those species are considered species of management concern, such as the great gray owl, wolverine, Pacific marten, and northern rubber boa.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2023

Taken together, the evidence suggests grizzlies in the region are losing toes to marten traps, the researchers reported last month in the Wildlife Society Bulletin.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 2, 2022

“My grandchildren have been admiring the tame marten that boy has on a chain,” said the old man as he approached.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke