a cocktail made of gin (or vodka) with dry vermouth
"He ordered a classic martini to enjoy at the bar."
A cocktail made with gin or vodka and vermouth.
"The bartender poured a martini straight up before handing it to the customer."
A breech mechanism for a rifle.
Alternative letter-case form of martini (a cocktail made with gin or vodka and vermouth).
In plain English: A martini is an alcoholic drink made with gin and vermouth, usually served over ice without any fruit garnish.
"He ordered a martini with an olive to go with his dinner."
Usage: Use this term to refer specifically to the drink, but avoid capitalizing it unless referring to a specific brand like Martini & Rossi. In casual conversation, "gin martini" is often shortened to just "martini," though specifying the base spirit can prevent confusion with vodka-based versions.
A Italian surname, from Italian.
"The famous architect Mario Martini designed several iconic buildings in Milan during the 1950s."
The word martini comes from the name of Frédéric de Martini, a Hungarian-born Swiss inventor who lived from 1832 to 1897. This drink is named in his honor rather than having an original meaning separate from its namesake.