Dictionary.com
definitions

benjamin

[ ben-juh-muh n ]
/ ˈbɛn dʒə mən /
|

noun

benzoin1(def 2).

RELATED CONTENT

Familiar Wisdom And Quotes From Benjamin FranklinSome of these quotes might sound so familiar you didn't know they were quotes. Thank Benjamin Franklin.
READ MORE
5 Famous Words Of American Country MusicRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Nearby words

beninese, benioff zone, benison, benita, benitoite, benjamin, benjamin, asher, benjamin, judah philip, benjamin-bush, benjamin-constant, benjaminite

Origin of benjamin

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

Definition for benjamin (2 of 2)

Benjamin

[ ben-juh-muh n ]
/ ˈbɛn dʒə mən /

noun

the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph. Gen. 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for benjamin

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)

Benjamin

1
/ (ˈbɛndʒəmɪn) /

noun

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
archaic a youngest and favourite son

British Dictionary definitions for benjamin (3 of 3)

Benjamin

2
/ (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

Word Origin and History for benjamin

Benjamin

masc. proper name, in Old Testament, Jacob's youngest son (Gen. xxxv:18), from Hebrew Binyamin, literally "son of the south," though interpreted in Genesis as "son of the right hand," from ben "son of" + yamin "right hand," also "south" (in an East-oriented culture). Cf. Arabic cognate yaman "right hand, right side, south;" yamana "he was happy," literally "he turned to the right." The right was regarded as auspicious (see left and dexterity). Also see Yemen, southpaw, and cf. deasil "rightwise, turned toward the right," from Gaelic deiseil "toward the south; toward the right," from deas "right, right-hand; south." Also cf. Sanskrit dakshina "right; south." Slang meaning "money" (by 1999) is from portrait of Benjamin Franklin on U.S. $100 bill.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper