Joint

dʒɔɪnt

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonStructure
4 meanings3 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

4 meanings
1

A point where two or more things are joined.

dʒɔɪnt

nounneutralBeginner
Structure

A place where two things are connected.

The welding created a strong joint between the metal plates.

💡 Simply: It's where two things are put together, like the place where your elbow bends or where two pieces of wood meet. If something is built, it's likely to have many joints!

👶 For kids: A joint is like a place where things are stuck together, like where your arm bends at the elbow!

More Examples

2

The artist carefully sculpted each joint of the model.

3

The doctor examined the patient's swollen joint.

How It's Used

Anatomy

"The knee joint allows the leg to bend."

Construction

"The carpenter carefully sealed the joint between the two boards."

2

An informal establishment, such as a restaurant or bar.

dʒɔɪnt

nouninformalBeginner
Location

A place to eat or drink, often informal.

The new pizza joint in town is always packed.

💡 Simply: It's a casual place to hang out and get food or drinks. It's usually not fancy!

👶 For kids: It's like a restaurant or bar where you can get food and have fun!

More Examples

2

We often meet at that little coffee joint on the corner.

3

I heard that music joint is hosting a concert tonight.

How It's Used

Informal

"Let's go grab some dinner at that burger joint."

Tip:Think of a relaxed place where people 'join' together to socialize and eat.
3

To connect or fasten together; to fit together.

dʒɔɪnt

verbneutralmedium
Action

To connect or combine things.

They jointed the metal pipes to create a longer line.

💡 Simply: To put two or more things together, like when you connect the parts of a model or build something.

👶 For kids: To make two things stick together!

More Examples

2

The two companies will joint forces to launch a new product.

3

The fabric pieces were carefully jointed with a strong seam.

How It's Used

Construction

"The carpenter jointed the two pieces of wood together."

Tip:Imagine literally joining pieces together.
4

A cigarette containing cannabis.

dʒɔɪnt

nouninformalmedium
Substance

A cannabis cigarette.

The smell of marijuana filled the air, and a discarded joint was found at the scene.

💡 Simply: A slang term for a rolled-up cigarette of cannabis, often used recreationally.

👶 For kids: Not for kids - something that is smoked to get you high (cannabis)!

More Examples

2

She tried her first joint at a party last weekend.

3

Laws about possessing a joint depend on where you live.

How It's Used

Slang

"He lit a joint and passed it to his friend."

Tip:Think of the rolled shape like a joint.

Idioms & expressions

out of joint

Dislocated; not in proper order; dysfunctional or malfunctioning.

"The political situation is completely out of joint."

to join forces

To combine efforts; to cooperate.

"The two companies decided to join forces to develop the new technology."

joint venture

A business arrangement in which two or more parties agree to pool their resources for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task.

"The project was initiated by a joint venture between the two companies."

From Old French *joindre* (to join), from Latin *iungere* (to join, yoke). The noun usage developed later, referring to a place where things are joined.

The word 'joint' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a point of connection.

Memory tip

Think of how your joints connect your bones.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to join, yoke"

knee jointelbow jointball and socket jointjoint ventureto join forcesburger joint

Common misspellings

jontjinte

Usage

65%Spoken
35%Written