martin

UK: /ˈmɑːtɪn/ US: /ˈmɑrtən/ ,(mär′tn)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mar•tin /ˈmɑrtən/   n. [countable]

1. Birds a bird having a wedge-shaped or notched tail.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mar•tin  (mär′tn), n. 

1. Birds any of several swallows having a deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings. Cf. house martin, purple martin. 

• Late Latin Martīnus), traditionally by association with March (Latin Mārtius), when the bird arrives, and Martinmas, when it leaves; though Middle English, Old French martinet has been applied to a variety of birds; compare French martin-pêcheur kingfisher
• French
• 1425–75; late Middle English (Scots) martoune; presumably generic use of the personal name (

Mar•tin  (mär′tn), n. 

Ar•cher John Porter  (är′chər), born 1910, English biochemist: Nobel prize for chemistry 1952.
1. Biographical Frank, 1890–1974, Swiss composer.
2. Biographical Glenn Luther, 1886–1955, U.S. airplane designer and manufacturer.
3. Biographical Homer Dodge, 1836–97, U.S. painter.
4. Biographical Joseph W(illiam) Jr., 1884–1968, U.S. political leader and publisher: Speaker of the House 1947–49, 1953–55.
5. Biographical Saint, a.d. 316?–397, French prelate: bishop of Tours 370?–397.
6. a male given name: from the name of the Roman god Mars.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

martin / ˈmɑːtɪn/ noun

1. any of various swallows of the genera Progne, Delichon, Riparia, etc, having a square or slightly forked tail
   See also house martin

Etymology: 15th Century: perhaps from St Martin, because the birds were believed to migrate at the time of Martinmas

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Lu•ther  (lo̅o̅′thər; Ger. lŏŏt′ər), n. 

Mar•tin  (mär′tn; Ger. mär′tēn), 1483–1546, German theologian and author: leader, in Germany, of the Protestant Reformation.
1. a male given name: from Germanic words meaning "famous'' and "army.''

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Martin / ˈmɑːtɪn/ noun

1. Archer John Porter. 1910–2002, British biochemist; Nobel prize for chemistry 1952 (with Richard Synge; 1914–94) for developing paper chromatography (1944). He subsequently developed gas chromatography (1953)
2. Chris(topher Anthony John). born 1977, English rock musician; lead singer of Coldplay
3. / martɛ̃/ Frank. 1890–1974, Swiss composer. He used a modified form of the twelve-note technique in some of his works, which include Petite Symphonie Concertante (1946) and the oratorio Golgotha (1949)
4. Sir George (Henry). 1926–2016, British record producer and arranger, noted for his work with the Beatles
5. John. 1789–1854, British painter, noted for his visionary landscapes and large-scale works with biblical subjects
6. Michael (John), Baron of Springburn. 1945–2018, Scottish Labour politician; speaker of the House of Commons (2000–09)
7. Paul (Edgar Philippe). born 1938, Canadian Liberal politician; prime minister of Canada (2003–06)
8. Saint. called Saint Martin of Tours. ?316–?397 ad, bishop of Tours (?371–?397); a patron saint of France. He furthered monasticism in Gaul. Feast day: Nov 11 or 12
9. Steve(n). born 1945, US film actor and comedian; his films include The Jerk (1979), Roxanne (1987), and Bowfinger (1999)