martian

adjective

mar·​tian ˈmär-shən How to pronounce martian (audio)
variants often Martian
: of or relating to the planet Mars or its hypothetical inhabitants
martian noun
often Martian

Examples of martian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The spacecraft will stay on Phobos’ surface for several hours, using two independent mechanisms to collect samples from the Martian moon. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 The probe will spend about three years in the Martian system before beginning its return journey to Earth in November 2030. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026 Scientists are counting on those samples, and other data collected during MMX's time around Mars, to answer a decades-old question surrounding the Martian moons' origins. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Japan and China could be neck-and-neck in getting samples back from the Martian system. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for martian

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of martian was in 1880

Rhymes for martian

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Browse Nearby Words

martialness
martian
martin
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Cite this Entry

“Martian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martian. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Martian

adjective
Mar·​tian
ˈmär-shən
: of or relating to the planet Mars or its supposed inhabitants
Martian noun
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