purple martin

noun

: a large swallow (Progne subis) of North America the males of which have glossy purplish-blue plumage

Examples of purple martin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Others, like purple martins, Carolina wrens, and white-breasted nuthatches, will use nesting boxes that are specially designed for them. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 The purple martin is, to the untrained eye, merely a bird. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 7 Aug. 2025 As purple martins called overhead, a female common pondhawk dragonfly curved her abdomen and dropped eggs into vegetation in the water as the male hovered above. Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025 And where there are purple martins, there's a parking lot packed with visitors ready for a show. Nicole Cobler, Axios, 2 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for purple martin

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of purple martin was in 1731

Cite this Entry

“Purple martin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple%20martin. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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