robin
n. countablen. a small bird with a bright orange or red chest. You often see them in gardens, especially during the winter.
n. a small insectivorous passerine bird, specifically the European robin (Erithacus rubecula) or the American robin (Turdus migratorius).
A robin is singing on the garden fence.
We knew spring was finally arriving when we saw a robin building a nest in the apple tree.
The European robin is frequently depicted in folklore and holiday cards, where its distinctive red plumage serves as a vibrant contrast to the stark white of a snowy landscape.
* (masculine given name): From Middle English Robin, from Old French, diminutive of Robert. * (feminine given name): From the bird, robin, or from Germanic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Commonly used as a symbol of winter or the arrival of spring depending on the geographic region.
Last updated May 2, 2026