benjamin

[ ben-juh-muhn ]

/ ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

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noun

benzoin¹ (def. 2).

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Origin of benjamin

1570–80; alteration (by association with the proper name) of benjoin, early form of benzoin¹

Words nearby benjamin

Benioff zone, benison, Beni-Suef, Benita, benitoite, benjamin, benjamin-bush, Benjamin-Constant, Benjaminite, Benjamins, Ben Lomond

Other definitions for benjamin (2 of 2)

Benjamin

[ ben-juh-muhn ]

/ ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph. Genesis 35:18.

one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel traditionally descended from him.

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

Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman.

a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “son of the right.”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use benjamin in a sentence

When the clock strikes 12, Benjamin must quickly find the bright green button that says, “Get in line.”
People are struggling to get vaccine appointments. A 14-year-old stepped in to help.|Marisa Iati|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
A local reporter in Florida has become seniors’ unofficial vaccine hotlineThe flawed nature of the vaccine rollout has not been lost on Benjamin, who faces a long wait until he’ll be eligible for a shot himself.
People are struggling to get vaccine appointments. A 14-year-old stepped in to help.|Marisa Iati|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
Hopefully, the process doesn’t take too long, because Benjamin has to sleep.
People are struggling to get vaccine appointments. A 14-year-old stepped in to help.|Marisa Iati|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
At 14, Benjamin could be filling his free time with sports and video games.
People are struggling to get vaccine appointments. A 14-year-old stepped in to help.|Marisa Iati|February 25, 2021|Washington Post

People requesting the time slots have shared a lot of sad stories, Benjamin said.
People are struggling to get vaccine appointments. A 14-year-old stepped in to help.|Marisa Iati|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
I remember H. Jon Benjamin told me it was a way-too-late apology for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Like Bush 41 and Shamir, Bill Clinton and Benjamin Netanyahu were not exactly soul mates.
The Inside Story of U.S. Meddling in Israel’s Elections|Aaron David Miller|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Benjamin Franklin warned against making any hasty conclusions on such “a point of great importance.”
Why We Can’t Quit Calling Presidents ‘Kings’|Kevin Bleyer|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Anderson pleaded with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ban clothing made from animal fur.
Pamela Anderson Is Israel’s No. 1 Fan|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I think Abraham Lincoln: A Biography by Benjamin P. Thomas, which was published 60 years ago, is magical.
What Lincoln Could Teach Fox News|Scott Porch|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As he was a great worker all his life, “Busy,” or “ Benjamin Ceased” would significantly express his death-date.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
And over against the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side, one portion for Simeon.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
And for the rest of the tribes: from the east side to the west side, one portion for Benjamin.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Benjamin Thompson died; formerly a timber merchant, translator of the German Theatre, and author of several other productions.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Benjamin Franklin went through life an altered man, because he once paid too dearly for a penny whistle.
The Pocket R.L.S.|Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for benjamin (1 of 3)

benjamin

/ (ˈbɛndʒəmɪn) /

noun

another name for benzoin (def. 1)

benjamin bush another name for spicebush

Word Origin for benjamin

C16: variant of benzoin; influenced in form by the name Benjamin

British Dictionary definitions for benjamin (2 of 3)

Benjamin¹

/ (ˈbɛndʒəmɪn) /

noun

Old Testament

the youngest and best-loved son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:16–18; 42:4)
the tribe descended from this patriarch
the territory of this tribe, northwest of the Dead Sea

archaic a youngest and favourite son

British Dictionary definitions for benjamin (3 of 3)

Benjamin²

/ (ˈbɛndʒəmɪn) /

noun

Arthur . 1893–1960, Australian composer. In addition to Jamaican Rumba (1938), he wrote five operas and a harmonica concerto (1953)

(German ˈbɛnɪamin) 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