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• Joseph
  Joseph

  noun

  (in the Bible) Jacob's eleventh son, the first of Jacob and his second wife, Rachel: sold into slavery by his brothers.
• joseph
  joseph

  noun

  a woman's floor-length riding coat with a small cape, worn esp in the 18th century

Joseph

American  

[joh-zuhf, -suhf] / ˈdʒoʊ zəf, -səf /

noun

1. (in the Bible) Jacob's eleventh son, the first of Jacob and his second wife, Rachel: sold into slavery by his brothers.

2. (in the Bible) the husband of Mary who was the mother of Jesus.

3. Hinmaton-yalaktit, c1840–1904, leader of the Nez Perce: led 1,000-mile (1,600-km) retreat from U.S. forces in an attempt to reach Canada in 1877.

4. joseph, a long coat buttoning in the front, worn especially by women as part of their riding habit in colonial America.

5. a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “increaser.”

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Joseph ¹ British  

/ ˈdʒəʊzɪf /

noun

1. Old Testament

   1. the eleventh son of Jacob and one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel (Genesis 30:2–24)

   2. either or both of two tribes descended from his sons Ephraim and Manasseh

2. New Testament the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:16–25). Feast day: Mar 19

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joseph ² British  

/ ˈdʒəʊzɪf /

noun

1. a woman's floor-length riding coat with a small cape, worn esp in the 18th century

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Etymology

Origin of joseph

perhaps from the story of Joseph and his long coat (Genesis 37:3)

Example Sentences

The parliament elected Joseph Aoun as president, and the U.S. hailed the opportunity for the government to assert its sovereignty and disarm the militant group.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Gleeson, of St. Joseph, Ill., set out to buy a new car six years ago, but couldn’t find what he wanted amid the pandemic vehicle shortages.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

One of the new teachers at the primary school this year, Joseph Brown, trained through the academy trust's scheme after working as a teaching assistant.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Various New York City pension funds also disclosed their support for the Sisters of St. Joseph proposal, organizers say.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

She had paid close attention to the things Baba Joseph considered sinful.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer