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• benjamin
  benjamin

  noun

  benzoin.
• Benjamin
  Benjamin

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

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

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 Eaton, Mary, fl. 1823-1849

They also pronounce some prayers, anoint themselves with sweet-scented oils, and smoke the entrance of the cavern with gum- benjamin.

From Domestic Pleasures, or, the Happy Fire-side by Vaux, Frances Bowyer

In 1826, young Benjamin Disraeli popularized the word “millionaire” to describe the new industrial barons in his novel “Vivian Grey.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had yet to comment on the proposal by Friday afternoon, but several Israeli officials expressed skepticism if not outright rejection of the proposal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

The aircraft that JetZero wants to do it with is no less radical than its ambition, writes Benjamin Katz.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described those carrying out settler attacks as a handful of misguided young people: "150 juvenile delinquents", he's called them, or "70 teenagers from broken homes".

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

“He has so much martial dignity in his deportment,” observed Benjamin Rush, “that there is not a king in Europe but would look like a valet de chambre by his side.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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