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 High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, or HiRISE camera, takes super-sharp photos of the Martian surface and has helped NASA scout the Red Planet for suitable landing sites for rovers like Curiosity. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, the Martian actor remixed the classic suit in a maroon blazer and matching slacks with a subtle sheen and nearly-invisible striped pattern. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Cassell and her Martians recall the pulpy Martian warrior civilization depicted in a series of Edgar Rice Burroughs novels that kicks off with A Princess of Mars, which the episode will later directly reference. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 July 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

See All Rhymes for martian

Browse Nearby Words

martialness
martian
martin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Martian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martian. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Martian

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

More from Merriam-Webster on martian

Nglish: Translation of martian for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All