: a small compact falcon (Falco columbarius) of the northern hemisphere having a broad dark terminal band on the tail and upperparts that are slate blue in males and brown in females
Examples of merlin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2025
One parent was killed by a merlin, a small falcon that lives throughout the Great Lakes region.
—Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2023
Other Plum Island sightings were highlighted by an unseasonal merlin and a red-necked phalarope.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023
Researchers from Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota have developed population models to show how controlling merlin and other nest predator populations could reduce the piping plover's risk of extinction, according to the Smithsonian.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2023
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
ElevenLabs trained its music AI through deals with Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group, publishing platforms for independent artists.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
About nine minutes later, the Falcon's upper stage reached its preliminary orbit and was on track to deploy its payload approximately an hour after leaving the ground, following a coast period and second burn of its Merlin engine.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The Biff Dipper animatronic, the first robotic minifigure created by the Merlin Magic Making creative arm of the company, features nine body movements and 45 facial motions.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Among those who passed on representing Abrams was the Merlin Law Group, a firm with offices in 12 states, including Oklahoma.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
Beggars Group and Merlin founder Martin Mills will continue to serve as a director of Merlin Network, the organization’s parent entity, alongside Darius Van Arman, who continues as Merlin chairperson, and Merlin CEO Charlie Lexton.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Damion Downs, the USMNT forward formerly of Koln, has been signed on loan from Southampton and will be depended upon to help cure that issue and keep Merlin Polzin’s side out of danger.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
At SpaceX, Mueller became the lead designer for the Merlin, Kestrel, and Draco engines, helping establish the propulsion architecture that still underpins the Falcon 9.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The Job Management Agent (JMA), meanwhile, handles scheduling and execution across LLNL’s supercomputers, using tools like the Flux scheduler and the Merlin workflow system.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2025
One parent was killed by a merlin, a small falcon that lives throughout the Great Lakes region.
—Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2023
Other Plum Island sightings were highlighted by an unseasonal merlin and a red-necked phalarope.
—BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023
Researchers from Michigan State University and the University of Minnesota have developed population models to show how controlling merlin and other nest predator populations could reduce the piping plover's risk of extinction, according to the Smithsonian.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 21 Apr. 2023
Noun
The epic saga begins in Atlantis and gives us some origin story for Merlin, who then takes center stage before the coming of Arthur.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
ElevenLabs trained its music AI through deals with Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group, publishing platforms for independent artists.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
About nine minutes later, the Falcon's upper stage reached its preliminary orbit and was on track to deploy its payload approximately an hour after leaving the ground, following a coast period and second burn of its Merlin engine.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 19 Jan. 2026
The Biff Dipper animatronic, the first robotic minifigure created by the Merlin Magic Making creative arm of the company, features nine body movements and 45 facial motions.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Among those who passed on representing Abrams was the Merlin Law Group, a firm with offices in 12 states, including Oklahoma.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
Beggars Group and Merlin founder Martin Mills will continue to serve as a director of Merlin Network, the organization’s parent entity, alongside Darius Van Arman, who continues as Merlin chairperson, and Merlin CEO Charlie Lexton.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026
Damion Downs, the USMNT forward formerly of Koln, has been signed on loan from Southampton and will be depended upon to help cure that issue and keep Merlin Polzin’s side out of danger.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
At SpaceX, Mueller became the lead designer for the Merlin, Kestrel, and Draco engines, helping establish the propulsion architecture that still underpins the Falcon 9.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merlin. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
