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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

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

His breath is like the soft winds of the heavens, and his lips are the instruments of truth; sending forth perfumes more delightful than benjamin or myrrh.

From The History of Sumatra Containing An Account Of The Government, Laws, Customs And Manners Of The Native Inhabitants by Marsden, William

Grand Jean was a curious little man, lively and brisk as a bird or a squirrel, powdered, curled, and smelling of rose and benjamin as if he were still at Versailles or Choisi.

From Le Morvan, [A District of France,] Its Wild Sports, Vineyards and Forests; with Legends, Antiquities, Rural and Local Sketches by Jesse, William

The two Democratic commissioners, Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, were notified by email.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

Another episode revolves around a significant fine issued to a 68-year-old slaveholder named Benjamin Rice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 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

Had no idea Benjamin Franklin had invented all that stuff—a stove, glasses of some kind, the first post office, and his own university.

From "Worth" by A. LaFaye

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