benjamin
1 Americannoun
noun
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(in the Bible) the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph.
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one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel, traditionally descended from him.
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Asher, 1773–1845, U.S. architect and writer.
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Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman.
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a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “son of the right.”
noun
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Old Testament
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the youngest and best-loved son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:16–18; 42:4)
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the tribe descended from this patriarch
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the territory of this tribe, northwest of the Dead Sea
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archaic a youngest and favourite son
noun
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Arthur . 1893–1960, Australian composer. In addition to Jamaican Rumba (1938), he wrote five operas and a harmonica concerto (1953)
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Walter (ˈvaltər). 1892–1940, German critic and cultural theorist
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
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.