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benjamin

1 American  
[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

  • benjamins
    plural
  1. benzoin.


Benjamin 2 American  
[ben-juh-muhn] / ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

    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.

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

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

  3. 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

benjamin 3 British  
/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

  1. another name for benzoin

  2. another name for spicebush

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of benjamin

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

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 William Marsden

Take six pennyworth of benjamin, as much of storax, six orris roots, and a little suet; beat and bruise them all together, and mix them with the stripped herbs.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Mary Eaton

Quick, my friend; light with all convenient haste the altar on which we will burn again the incense and benjamin of friendship.

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

Cover for Luke Shaw, who missed the game through injury, and Benjamin Sesko were viewed by some as being crucial in the summer.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

The club's recruitment department is working on potential targets for January given it is accepted the strategy of not signing left-back competition for Luke Shaw and striking support for Benjamin Sesko was flawed.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

Taronga Conservation Society Australia Behavioural Biologist Benjamin Pitcher said the research on sea lions and seals would have real world impact.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

I arrived at the Kirya shortly after 8 a.m. when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was receiving updates on the unfolding attack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Virginia DiAngelo is reported in good condition this morning at Easton General Hospital, while Benjamin, who was flown to the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital, remains in critical condition.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

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 Arthur Morrison

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