robin

[ rob-in ]

/ ˈrɒb ɪn /

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.

QUIZZES

"EVERYDAY" VS. "EVERY DAY" QUIZ: IS IT ONE WORD OR TWO?

An everyday activity is one you do every day. (Thanks, English.) Practice using "everyday," one word, and "every day," two words, in this fun quiz with … everyday example sentences!

Question 1 of 16

“Everyday" is an adjective that describes things that happen habitually or items that are normal items or events.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

Origin of robin

First recorded in 1540–50; short for robin redbreast

Words nearby robin

robertsonian translocation, robeson, robeson, paul, robespierre, robey, robin, robin goodfellow, robin hood, robin redbreast, robin's plantain, robin's-egg blue

Definition for robin (2 of 2)

Robin

[ rob-in ]

/ ˈrɒb ɪn /

noun

a male or female given name: derived from Robert.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
She started back when she beheld Robin, and again thought that some evil genius had determined to oppose her wherever she went.
The History of Margaret Catchpole|Richard Cobbold
"These men are mine," said Robin Hood, feeling that his time to laugh was come at last.
Robin Hood|J. Walker McSpadden
When Kate went to her own chamber, a robin on a spray of sweet-briar was singing at her window.
I, Thou, and the Other One|Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
Take such a speech as Robin's: 'Why be they deade that be drownd?
Pastoral Poetry and Pastoral Drama|Walter W. Greg
What a small bundle of contentment Robin was at that moment.
In the Wilderness|Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for robin

robin

/ (ˈrɒbɪn) /

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