junction

American  

[juhngk-shuhn] / ˈdʒʌŋk ʃən /

noun

1. an act of joining; combining.

2. the state of being joined; union.

3. a place or point where two or more things are joined, as a seam or joint.

   Synonyms:

   welt, coupling, linkage, union

4. a place or point where two or more things meet or converge.

5. a place or station where railroad lines meet, cross, or diverge.

6. an intersection of streets, highways, or roads.

7. something that joins other things together.

   He used the device as a junction between the branch circuit and the main power lines.

   Synonyms:

   connection

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junction British  

/ ˈdʒʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. a place where several routes, lines, or roads meet, link, or cross each other

   a railway junction

2. a point on a motorway where traffic may leave or join it

3. electronics

   1. a contact between two different metals or other materials

      a thermocouple junction

   2. a transition region between regions of differing electrical properties in a semiconductor

      a p-n junction

4. a connection between two or more conductors or sections of transmission lines

5. the act of joining or the state of being joined

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Related Words

Junction, juncture refer to a place, line, or point at which two or more things join. A junction is also a place where things come together: the junction of two rivers. A juncture is a line or point at which two bodies are joined, or a point of exigency or crisis in time: the juncture of the head and neck; a critical juncture in a struggle.

Other Word Forms

• interjunction noun
• junctional adjective

Etymology

Origin of junction

First recorded in 1705–15; from Latin junctiōn- (stem of junctiō ), equivalent to junct(us), past participle of jungere “to join” ( jung- join + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Ukrainians possessed intimate knowledge of every road junction, bridge, tunnel, marsh, river and choke point that could be exploited against a mechanized force dependent on road networks.

From The Wall Street Journal

He had entered the water near the junction of Main Street and Ash Grove Lane, according to the force, which led to "extensive searches" involving Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.

From BBC

The force said it was called to Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, just after 17:00 GMT on Tuesday, and several nearby roads were subsequently closed.

From BBC

The "Rocket Man" singer alleged that all three of the family's landlines "were hacked, including the junction box at the end of the road".

From Barron's

Police said it was called to reports a man had collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, just after 17:00 GMT on Tuesday.

From BBC

Related Words

• confluence
• crossing
• intersection
• juncture
• terminal