Joseph

[ joh-zuhf, -suhf ]

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.”

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

How to use Joseph in a sentence

There's a ranchman out there, I think his name is John Josephs, or some such name, who seems to want to get hold of our ranch.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee Hope
For him read hem, Josephs relatives; for migte in the next line migten.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes | Various
And when He burst asunder the bands of death and came out of Josephs sepulchre, that was supernatural.
Pleasure & Profit in Bible Study | Dwight Moody
The Samuel Josephs were always giving children's parties at the Bay and there was always the same food.
The Garden Party | Katherine Mansfield
The Samuel Josephs fought fearfully for the prizes and cheated and pinched one another's arms—they were all expert pinchers.
The Garden Party | Katherine Mansfield

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

Origin of 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

Browse