join

American  

[join] / dʒɔɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to bring in contact, connect, or bring or put together.

   to join hands; to join pages with a staple.

   Synonyms:

   amalgamate, consolidate, associate, combine, conjoin, attach, fasten, couple, link

   Antonyms:

   divide, divide, separate, separate

2. to come into contact or union with.

   The brook joins the river.

3. to bring together in a particular relation or for a specific purpose, action, etc.; unite.

   to join forces against the smugglers.

4. to become a member of (an organization, party, etc.).

   to join a club.

5. to enlist in (one of the armed forces).

   to join the Navy.

6. to come into the company of; meet or accompany.

   I'll join you later.

7. to participate with (someone) in some act or activity.

   My wife joins me in thanking you for the gift.

8. to unite in marriage.

9. to meet or engage in (battle, conflict, etc.).

   The opposing armies joined battle.

10. to adjoin; meet.

    His land joins mine.

    Synonyms:

    border, abut

11. to draw a curve or straight line between.

    to join two points on a graph.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to come into or be in contact or connection.

   a place where cliffs and sea join.

2. to become united, associated, or combined; associate or ally oneself; participate (usually followed bywith ).

   Please join with us in our campaign.

3. to take part with others (often followed byin ).

   Let's all join in.

4. to be contiguous or close; lie or come together; form a junction.

   Our farms join along the river.

5. to enlist in one of the armed forces (often followed byup ).

   He joined up to fight for his country.

6. to meet in battle or conflict.

noun

1. a joining.

2. a place or line of joining; seam.

3. Mathematics. union.

join British  

/ dʒɔɪn /

verb

1. to come or bring together; connect

2. to become a member of (a club, organization, etc)

3. to become associated or allied

4. to take part

5. (tr) to meet (someone) as a companion

6. (tr) to become part of; take a place in or with

7. (tr) to unite (two people) in marriage

8. (tr) geometry to connect with a straight line or a curve

9. (tr) an informal word for adjoin

10. to start fighting

11. to report for work after a period of leave or a strike

12. 1. to hold one's own hands together

    2. (of two people) to hold each other's hands

    3. (usually foll by with) to work together in an enterprise or task

---

noun

1. a joint; seam

2. the act of joining

3. maths another name for union

Usage

What are other ways to say join?

To join is to bring in contact, connect, or bring together. How is join different from connect and unite? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

• joinable adjective
• misjoin verb
• underjoin verb (used with object)
• unjoin verb
• unjoinable adjective
• well-joined adjective

Etymology

Origin of join

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English joinen, from Old French joign- (stem of joindre “to join”), from Latin jungere “to join”; yoke ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Shortly after arriving in the United States, he met American Christians at the university he attended and asked to join them at a Bible study.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Some 20 French boats set sail from Marseille on Saturday to join up with an international flotilla making a renewed effort to break an Israeli blockade and deliver aid to Gaza, AFP reporters saw.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

In 2016, Aaron Zelinger joined Palantir with a Stanford degree in symbolic systems after medical issues thwarted his initial plans to join the military.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

It is hard to know how many Iranians would join such campaigns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Around us people begin to move, a swirling eddy of bodies rubbing our shoulders, beckoning us to join in.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• cooperate
• enlist
• enter
• follow
• side with