Reuben

American  

[roo-buhn] / ˈru bən /

noun

1. the eldest son of Jacob and Leah. Genesis 29, 30.

2. one of the 12 tribes of Israel, the tribe traditionally descended from him.

3. Reuben sandwich.

4. a male given name.

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Reuben British  

/ ˈruːbɪn /

noun

1. the eldest son of Jacob and Leah: one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel (Genesis 29:30)

2. the Israelite tribe descended from him

3. the territory of this tribe, lying to the northeast of the Dead Sea

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Etymology

Origin of Reuben

From Late Latin Ruben, from Greek Rhoubḗn, from Hebrew Rĕʾūbhēn, of uncertain origin, but traditionally translated as “Behold, a son!” and associated with Rāʾāh bĕʿōnī “He (God) has looked upon my affliction” (by granting Leah a son)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Reuben

"We take this legislation very seriously," spokesman Reuben Davidson said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

In federal court in New York last week, two Californians — Julia Reeker Moghal and Reuben Renteria — sued StubHub seeking monetary damages and a ban on the company selling World Cup tickets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

"It helped the story to see an emaciated body. With Reuben, I just wanted to feel the character in the body and feel physically imposing opposite Jamie."

From BBC ● Apr. 21, 2026

Some—like the Shakespeare-reading New Hampshire farmer John Ordway and the Kentucky woodsmen Joseph and Reuben Field—were poor and bored and ready for adventure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026

Natalie knew that Hurricane Reuben had already brushed Puerto Rico, where Natalie’s mother had been born and Natalie’s father still lived, and made a devastating landfall in the Dominican Republic.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz