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

A bronze shrine in the west wall suited what President Calvin Coolidge would later call “a great spiritual document.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The music icon award was presented to DJ and producer Calvin Harris for "helping shape the sound of contemporary dance and pop over the last two decades".

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Kohler most recently served as chief executive of PVH Americas, overseeing its Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands in the region, as well as the company’s retail, e-commerce, wholesale and licensing businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

A song by Calvin Harris kicks in, the words “LA is worth saving” pop up on screen, and the video concludes.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

When the book was published Calvin contacted the authorities in Vienna and had the heretic imprisoned.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin