Joan

American  

[john] / dʒoʊn /

noun

1. Fair Maid of Kent, 1328–85, wife of Edward, the Black Prince, and mother of Richard II.

2. a fictitious female pope about a.d. 855–858.

3. a female given name.

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Joan British  

/ dʒəʊn /

noun

1. known as the Fair Maid of Kent. 1328–85, wife of Edward the Black Prince; mother of Richard II

2. Pope legendary female pope, first mentioned in the 13th century: said to have been elected while disguised as a man and to have died in childbirth

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Example Sentences

I make it a point to introduce my students to the literature of their home state, which includes Joan Didion, a standby and giant of what we now call creative nonfiction.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

But so much of American public discourse, over the last decade or so, has involved refusing to “observe the observable,” in Joan Didion’s famous phrase.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

"We're seeing waves propagating radially and upward, in a cone-like shape," said Joan Alexander, senior research scientist at NorthWest Research Associates.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

Ruth's mother Joan also cared for Dennis before his death at their family home in Cornwall, before they later moved to be closer to Ruth.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

Bobby grudgingly tolerated being in the care of Joan, five years his senior, whenever his mother was at school or work.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady