robin

[rob-in]

noun

any of several small Old World birds having a red or reddish breast, especially Erithacus rubecula, of Europe.

a large American thrush, Turdus migratorius, having a chestnut-red breast and abdomen.

any of several similar thrushes of the New World tropics, not necessarily having reddish underparts, as T. grayi (clay-colored robin), of Mexico and Central America.

Origin of robin

First recorded in 1540–50; short for robin redbreast

Also called robin redbreast (for defs 1, 2).

Robin

[rob-in]

noun

a male or female given name: derived from Robert.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for robin

Contemporary Examples of robin

“Robin had us blubbing with laughter all the way through one dinner,” Gilkes recalls.
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty
Tim Teeman
December 10, 2014
The Enquirer story was written by Robin Mizrahi, who interviewed Ferrier and had arranged for her to take a lie detector test.
How Bill Cosby Allegedly Silenced His Accusers Through A Tabloid Smear Campaign
Marlow Stern
November 21, 2014
Robin Williams and Nathan Lane play lovers—life partners, really.
Out of the Birdcage: How Mike Nichols Made Gay Culture Mainstream
Kevin Fallon
November 20, 2014
Another memorable, if not disastrous, misstep, of course, was his turn as Batman in Batman and Robin.
Clooney: A Constant Charmer at the Altar
Tim Teeman
September 28, 2014
I know Robin recently said of you, “I was convinced we were going to be married.”
Cary Elwes, aka Westley, Shares Inconceivable Tales From the Making of ‘The Princess Bride’
Marlow Stern
September 17, 2014

Historical Examples of robin

Robin had gone back to his own town; he was cashier in a big bank there.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
On Monday morning she was ill, and Robin ordered her to stay in bed.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
Gradually the image of the middle-aged Robin had effaced his youth.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
Through dinner Harriett and Robin were silent and constrained.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
Robin's pale, blank face had a sick look, a deadly smoothness.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for robin

robin

noun

Also called: robin redbreast a small Old World songbird, Erithacus rubecula, related to the thrushes: family Muscicapidae . The male has a brown back, orange-red breast and face, and grey underparts

a North American thrush, Turdus migratorius, similar to but larger than the Old World robin

any of various similar birds having a reddish breast

Word Origin for robin

C16: arbitrary use of given name

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

Word Origin and History for robin

common European songbird, 1540s, shortening of Robin Redbreast (mid-15c.), from masc. personal name Robin. It ousted the native ruddock. In North America, the name was applied to the red-breasted thrush by 1703. Robin's egg as a shade of blue is attested from 1881.

Robin

masc. proper name, from Old French Robin, diminutive of Robert (q.v.). Robin Goodfellow "sportive elf of the English countryside," is first attested 1530s, popular 16-17c.; Robin Hood is at least from late 14c.