conjunction

noun

con·junc·tion kən-ˈjəŋ(k)-shən

Synonyms of conjunction next

: an uninflected linguistic form that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words

Some common conjunctions are "and," "but," and "although."

: the act or an instance of conjoining : the state of being conjoined : combination

working in conjunction with state and local authorities

: occurrence together in time or space : concurrence

a conjunction of events

: the apparent meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac

: a configuration in which two celestial bodies have their least apparent separation

a conjunction of Mars and Jupiter

: a complex sentence in logic true if and only if each of its components is true see Truth Table

conjunctional

kən-ˈjəŋ(k)-shnəl

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

conjunctionally adverb

Did you know?

What is a conjunction?

Conjunctions are words that join together other words or groups of words.

A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, and clauses of equal importance. The main coordinating conjunctions are and, or, and but.

They bought apples, pears, and oranges.

You can wait either on the steps or in the car.

The paintings are pleasant but bland.

When placed at the beginning of a sentence, a coordinating conjunction may also link two sentences or paragraphs.

The preparations were complete. But where were the guests?

She told him that he would have to work to earn her trust. And he proceeded to do just that.

A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause (a clause that does not form a simple sentence by itself) and joins it to a main clause (a clause that can be used as a simple sentence by itself).

She waited until they were seated.

It had been quiet since the children left.

Some conjunctions are used in pairs. The most common pairs are either ... or, both ... and, neither ... nor, and not only ... but (also).

They could either continue searching or go to the police.

Both Clara and Jeanette graduated from Stanford.

He could neither sing nor dance.

Not only the money but also the jewelry had been found.

Some adverbs, such as afterwards, consequently, for example, however, nonetheless, and therefore, act like conjunctions by linking either two main clauses separated by a semicolon, or two separate sentences. They express some effect that the first clause or sentence has on the second one.

They didn't agree; however, each understood the other's opinion.

We'll probably regret it; still, we really have no choice.

The team has won its last three games. Thus, its record for the year is now 15-12.

Examples of conjunction in a Sentence

Some common conjunctions are “and,” “but,” and “although.” the conjunction of the two major highways creates a massive influx of cars into the city

Recent Examples on the Web This was part of a major branding announcement held in conjunction with the other 15 cities across North America where World Cup games will be played, each of them adopting similar catchphrases. —

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023 The co-curators worked in conjunction with GRAMMY Museum Chief Curator and VP of Curatorial Affairs Jasen Emmons as well as a 20-member Advisory Board. —

Okla Jones, Essence, 8 Sep. 2023 When the patriarch of a biracial Korean-American family in Virginia goes missing, the family must work in conjunction with each other to piece together his disappearance. —

Kassie King, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023 Nicole Willis, executive director of Generations Senior Living Berea, said the facility did host its own art show last year, but this year will mark the first time the Generations art show has been held in conjunction with the Berea Arts Fest, which will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 10. —

cleveland, 31 Aug. 2023 Legislative Council Co-Chairman Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage, told lawmakers on Tuesday the underground project will be done in conjunction with the secretary of state's air-conditioning room project for the north end of the state Capitol. —

Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2023 Never again will a Saban lecture defining our favorite coordinating conjunction come from the Mercedes Mic next to the promotional soda and water bottles. —

Michael Casagrande | McAsagrande@al.com, al, 28 Aug. 2023 Great writers have written there; painters like Turner were drawn to its amazing conjunction between rock, sea, and sky; the queen came to stay. —

Amanda Harlech, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2023 This summer is expected to bring to the eastern part of the North American continent a spectacle of extraordinary rarity: the conjunction of four indictments of Donald Trump. —

Nathaniel Stein, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conjunction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.