Joseph

[ joh-zuhf, -suhf ]

/ ˈdʒoʊ zəf, -səf /

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noun

Jacob's eleventh son, the first of Jacob and his second wife, Rachel: sold into slavery by his brothers. Genesis 30:22–24; 37.

the husband of Mary who was the mother of Jesus. Matthew 1:16–25.

Hinmaton-yalaktit, c1840–1904, leader of the Nez Perce: led 1,000-mile (1,600-km) retreat from U.S. forces in an attempt to reach Canada in 1877.

(lowercase) a long coat buttoning in the front, worn especially by women as part of their riding habit in colonial America.

a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “increaser.”

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby Joseph

Joro spider, jorum, Jos, Joselyn, Josep, Joseph, Joseph and his brothers, Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, Joseph I, Joseph II, Josephine

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

How to use Joseph in a sentence

The mayor’s statement listed many siblings, nieces, nephews and friends who mourn her sister, along with their parents, Joseph and Joan Bowser.
Mercia Bowser, sister of D.C. mayor, dies of coronavirus at age 64|Julie Zauzmer|February 24, 2021|Washington Post
Yet when Joseph interviewed them again three years later, 43% reported that their lives and attitudes had changed for the better.
Even if You Feel Like This Was a Lost Year, That Might Not Be True|Joanne Lipman|February 16, 2021|Time
Every morning before dawn, a network of vans made the rounds of the city’s apartment complexes, shuttling workers like Joseph to the region’s meatpacking plants.
As COVID-19 Ravaged This Iowa City, Officials Discovered Meatpacking Executives Were the Ones in Charge|by Michael Grabell and Bernice Yeung|December 21, 2020|ProPublica
“Of course the impact and strategic opportunities with smaller sponsorships are expected to be limited, but it thoughtfully provides an opportunity for these smaller sponsors to participate and fulfill on some of their key goals,” said Joseph.
‘Both sides benefit’: Why Fast Company pursued more smaller-budget sponsors for tentpole Innovation Festival|Kayleigh Barber|October 14, 2020|Digiday

Frontiero was required by federal law to prove that her husband, Joseph, was dependent on her for at least half his economic support in order to qualify for housing, medical and dental benefits.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Helped Shape The Modern Era Of Women’s Rights – Even Before She Went On The Supreme Court|LGBTQ-Editor|September 21, 2020|No Straight News
“I heard them say, ‘He was shot twice,’” the father, Joseph Dossi, remembers.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Bergoglio ran second to Joseph Ratzinger, who became Benedict XVI.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF|Jason Berry|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In an act of corporal punishment that we at the Daily Beast do not condone, Joseph grabbed Him by the ear and “pulled hard.”
Was Baby Jesus A Holy Terror?|Candida Moss|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Joseph LaRocca says some companies are upping the ante in terms of fending off return fraudsters.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks|M.L. Nestel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cops launched a flash grenade through the window and officer Joseph Weekley fired, fatally striking Stanley-Jones.
Worse Than Eric Garner: Cops Who Got Away With Killing Autistic Men and Little Girls|Emily Shire|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Joseph, with his liberal ideas, had attempted to free the people from clerical thraldom.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Jacob robbed his brother of his birthright by trading on his hunger; Joseph robbed a whole people in the same way.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Joseph Towers died; a printer, bookseller, and afterwards a preacher with the title of LL.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Joseph Blanco White, an English preacher and controversial writer, died, aged 67.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Joseph White, an eminent English divine, and oriental scholar, died.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for Joseph (1 of 2)

joseph

/ (ˈdʒəʊzɪf) /

noun

a woman's floor-length riding coat with a small cape, worn esp in the 18th century

Word Origin for joseph

perhaps from the story of Joseph and his long coat (Genesis 37:3)

British Dictionary definitions for Joseph (2 of 2)

Joseph

/ (ˈdʒəʊzɪf) /

noun

Old Testament

the eleventh son of Jacob and one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel (Genesis 30:2–24)
either or both of two tribes descended from his sons Ephraim and Manasseh

Saint Joseph New Testament the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1:16–25). Feast day: Mar 19

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