Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:

benjamin

1 American  
[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

  1. benzoin.


Benjamin 2 American  
[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

    1. (in the Bible) the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph.

    2. one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel, traditionally descended from him.

  1. Asher, 1773–1845, U.S. architect and writer.

  2. Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman.

  3. a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “son of the right.”


Benjamin 1 British  
/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

  1. Old Testament

    1. the youngest and best-loved son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:16–18; 42:4)

    2. the tribe descended from this patriarch

    3. the territory of this tribe, northwest of the Dead Sea

  2. archaic a youngest and favourite son

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Benjamin 2 British  
/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

  1. Arthur . 1893–1960, Australian composer. In addition to Jamaican Rumba (1938), he wrote five operas and a harmonica concerto (1953)

  2. Walter (ˈvaltər). 1892–1940, German critic and cultural theorist

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

benjamin 3 British  
/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

  1. another name for benzoin

  2. another name for spicebush

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of benjamin

1570–80; alteration (by association with the proper name) of benjoin, early form of benzoin 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will seek re-election in Israel's upcoming national vote, his Likud party announced Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump publicly questioned whether the 76-year-old would run.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu believed that victory over Iran would reshape the Middle East.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The share of American Jews who rate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s performance in office as “poor” jumped from 28% in 2020 to 48% in the fall of 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

This is not the language of Benjamin Graham and David Dodd, the gurus of value investing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

These occurred sporadically in his personal correspondence with Abigail, who remained ensconced at home in Quincy, Massachusetts,and with old revolutionary comrades like Benjamin Rush.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "benjamin" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com