Jump To:

• benjamin
  benjamin

  noun

  benzoin.
• Benjamin
  Benjamin

  noun

benjamin

¹ American  

[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

1. benzoin.

---

Benjamin ² American  

[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

1. 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.

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

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

4. 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

---

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

---

benjamin ³ British  

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. another name for benzoin

2. another name for spicebush

---

Etymology

Origin of benjamin

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

Example Sentences

But by the 1960s, it was much diminished, and a later owner, Benjamin Swig, had sold close to 1,000 antiques and artworks to help pay bills.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

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

"I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate," Trump told Axios, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

President Trump has reportedly pressed Tehran and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return to negotiations.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

He once had lived in Chicago where he and an associate, Benjamin Pitezel, had run a hotel during the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson