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• benjamin
  benjamin

  noun

  benzoin.
• Benjamin
  Benjamin

  noun

benjamin

¹ American  

[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

benjamins plural

1. benzoin.

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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.”

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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

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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

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benjamin ³ British  

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. another name for benzoin

2. another name for spicebush

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• benjamins
  plural

Etymology

Origin of benjamin

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

benjamin Benjamin benjamins

My son benjamin and I appeared twice on The Martha Stewart Show to talk about the family company, Divvies.

From Inc ● Dec. 8, 2011

As the bouncy benjamin of N.C.'s children, Andy enjoyed a special freedom from responsibility.

From Time Magazine Archive

When they were fat and well rubbed with benjamin they should be sent in ships to the ports of the Balearians.

From Salammbo by Flaubert, Gustave

Mr. Blaine, in his excellent treatise on the distemper in his Canine Pathology, recommends myrrh and benjamin, and balsam of Peru and camphor.

From The Dog by Youatt, William

Taste, smell; I assure you, sir, pure benjamin, the only spirited scent that ever awaked a Neapolitan nostril.

From Cynthia's Revels by Jonson, Ben

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose country has not so far rejoined the war, warned Iranian leaders on Tuesday that Israel would deal a heavy blow if they launched an attack on his country.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Graham as one of Israel’s strongest friends in Washington and mourned the loss of a close personal friend.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026

"Frogs that are so unique looking as this can become victims of their own fame," said Benjamin Tapley, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the Zoological Society of London.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Deutsche Bank analyst Benjamin Black believes Meta could achieve up to 35% lower data-center costs in 2027 using a combination of Iris and Nvidia chips.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

I got up to take my homework to the back row, passing by Ava and Benjamin, who acknowledged me with faint nods.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

The Dove-Laners had been heavily thrashed: their benjamins and kicksies had been impounded in Meakin Street, and they had ceased from buying.

From A Child of the Jago by Morrison, Arthur