What does "martin" mean?
Many of the various passerine birds of the family Hirundinidae, which also includes swallows, that catch insects whilst flying.
Martin
/ˈmɑː.tɪn/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Many of the various passerine birds of the family Hirundinidae, which also includes swallows, that catch insects whilst flying.
- Grammar: martin is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: designation, magpie, moniker, name.
- Usage evidence: Martin seemed very tired, didn't he?
How to use "martin"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "martin" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "martin" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "martin" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "martin" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "martin" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "designation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "martin", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Many of the various passerine birds of the family Hirundinidae, which also includes swallows, that catch insects whilst flying.
"Roof-haunting martins warm their eggs: / In these, in those the life is stay’d."
- 2 any of various swallows with squarish or slightly forked tail and long pointed wings; migrate around Martinmas wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A male given name from Latin originally given in honor of a fourth century soldier-saint. countable, uncountable
"Expect Saint Martin's summer, halcyon days, / Since I have entered into these wars."
- 2 A surname. countable, uncountable
"It all started when Nick Farmer bought George R. R. Martin a drink, but the plot really thickened when the linguist met Martin’s then-assistant Ty Franck."
- 3 A surname.; A surname originating as a patronymic. countable, uncountable
- 4 A surname.; An English habitational surname from Middle English for someone who lived near a mere. countable, uncountable
- 5 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida. countable, uncountable
Show 23 more definitions
- 6 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Stephens County and Franklin County, Georgia. countable, uncountable
- 7 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Armstrong Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. countable, uncountable
- 8 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A minor city in Floyd County, Kentucky. countable, uncountable
- 9 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A village in Red River Parish, Louisiana. countable, uncountable
- 10 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A village in Allegan County, Michigan. countable, uncountable
- 11 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in Keith County, Nebraska. countable, uncountable
- 12 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A minor city in Sheridan County, North Dakota. countable, uncountable
- 13 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Clay Township, Ottawa County, Ohio. countable, uncountable
- 14 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Allendale County, South Carolina. countable, uncountable
- 15 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A small city, the county seat of Bennett County, South Dakota. countable, uncountable
- 16 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Weakley County, Tennessee. countable, uncountable
- 17 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A ghost town and skiing area in Kittitas County, Washington. countable, uncountable
- 18 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Grant County, West Virginia. countable, uncountable
- 19 A placename, including:; A number of places in the United States:; A number of townships, including in Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota, listed under Martin Township. countable, uncountable
- 20 A placename, including:; A village in Saint-Jean-du-Sud commune, Sud department, Haiti. countable, uncountable
- 21 A placename, including:; A rural municipality in eastern Saskatchewan, Canada; in full, the Rural Municipality of Martin No. 122. countable, uncountable
- 22 A placename, including:; A place in England:; A village and civil parish in New Forest district, Hampshire (OS grid ref SU0619). countable, uncountable
- 23 A placename, including:; A place in England:; A village in Langdon parish, Dover district, Kent (OS grid ref TR3347). countable, uncountable
- 24 A placename, including:; A place in England:; A small village in Roughton parish, East Lindsey district, Lincolnshire (OS grid ref TF2366). countable, uncountable
- 25 A placename, including:; A place in England:; A village and civil parish (served by Martin and Martin Dales Parish Council) in North Kesteven district, Lincolnshire (OS grid ref TF1259). countable, uncountable
- 26 A placename, including:; A village in Našice municipality, Osijek-Baranja, Croatia. countable, uncountable
- 27 A placename, including:; A city and district in Žilina Region, Slovakia. countable, uncountable
- 28 A placename, including:; A suburb of Perth in the City of Gosnells, Western Australia. countable, uncountable
Example
"Martin seemed very tired, didn't he?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "martin"?
Common synonyms include: designation, magpie, moniker, name, swallow.
How do you use "martin" in a sentence?
Martin seemed very tired, didn't he?
How do you pronounce "martin"?
Pronounced /ˈmɑː.tɪn/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle French martin (French martinet).
Etymology 2
From Middle English Martin, from Latin Mārtīnus (“of or like Mars” or “little Mars”), Mārs, Mārtis + -īnus (diminutive suffix). See Mārs for further etymology.