joint

1 of 3

noun

ˈjȯint 

plural joints

1

a(1)

: the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it

the hip joint

(2)

: node sense 5b

b

: a part or space included between two articulations, knots, or nodes

2

a

: a place where two things or parts are joined

a joint between two pieces of timber

b

: a space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies (such as bricks) joined and held together (as by cement or mortar)

c

: a fracture or crack in rock not accompanied by dislocation

d

: the flexing part of a cover along either spine edge of a book

e

: the junction of two or more members of a framed structure

f

: a union formed by two abutting rails in a track including the elements (such as bars and bolts) necessary to hold the abutting rails together

g

: an area at which two ends, surfaces, or edges are attached

3

a

: a shabby or disreputable place of entertainment

a cheap joint

b

: place, establishment

a hamburger joint

c

slang : prison sense 2

spent five years in the joint

4

: a marijuana cigarette

smoking a joint

5

chiefly British : a large piece of meat for roasting

a joint of beef

jointed

ˈjȯin-təd 

adjective

jointedly adverb

jointedness noun

joint

2 of 3

adjective

1

: united, combined

the joint influences of culture and climate

2

: common to two or more: such as

a(1)

: involving the united activity of two or more

a joint effort

(2)

: constituting an activity, operation, or organization in which elements of more than one armed service participate

joint maneuvers

(3)

: constituting an action or expression of two or more governments

joint peace talks

b

: shared by or affecting two or more

a joint fine

3

: united, joined, or sharing with another (as in a right or status)

joint heirs

4

mathematics : being a function of or involving two or more variables and especially random variables

a joint probability density function

jointly adverb

joint

3 of 3

verb

jointed; jointing; joints

transitive verb

1

a

: to unite by a joint : fit together

joint two boards

her elbows and shoulders are jointed wrong

—Irish Digest

b

: to provide with a joint : articulate

c

: to prepare (something, such as a board) for joining by planing the edge

2

: to separate the joints of

joint a piece of meat

intransitive verb

1

: to fit as if by joints

the stones joint neatly

2

: to form joints as a stage in growth

—used especially of small grains

Phrases

out of joint

1

a

of a bone : having the head slipped from its socket

b

: at variance

2

a

: disordered sense 2a

b

: being out of humor : dissatisfied

losing put him out of joint

Synonyms

Noun

• junction
• intersection
• join

Adjective

• collective
• collaborative
• combined
• mutual
• communal

Examples of joint in a Sentence

Noun

She's been having pain in her muscles and joints.

seal the joints of the pipes

Adjective

filing a joint tax return

They had a joint account at the bank.

divorced parents who have joint custody of their child

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Vermont provides full exemptions for incomes under $50,000 (single) or $65,000 (joint), as well as partial exclusions up to $60,000/$75,000, and full taxation above those levels. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

These lightweight trekking poles help maintain balance and lessen impact on joints, especially when navigating uneven, steep, and rocky terrain. —Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2025

Adjective

The court documents note that the former couple is seeking joint legal and physical custody of their two children, daughter Alara, 6, and son Kashton, who turns 3 later this month. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 21 June 2025

This is a joint UK government and industry-funded organization supporting the development of low-carbon propulsion technologies for the automotive industry to accelerate the transition to Net Zero. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Verb

Christmas cacti stems are jointed, with the stem narrowing where one segment or cladode connects to the next. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024

Plus, their arms and legs are jointed and their heads turn, so kiddos can set up scenes or have the bunnies interact with each other or doll furniture. —Maya Polton, Parents, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English jointe, from Anglo-French, from joindre — see join entry 1

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from past participle of joindre — see join entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing joint

• all over the joint
• ball-and-socket joint
• ball joint
• butt joint
• clip joint
• hinge joint
• hip joint
• joint account
• joint compound
• joint custody
• joint resolution
• joint-stock company
• juke joint
• knuckle joint
• lap joint
• miter joint
• nose out of joint
• rabbet joint
• stink up the joint
• strip joint
• synovial joint
• the joint
• universal joint

Rhymes for joint

• point
• pointe
• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint

Kids Definition

joint

1 of 3 noun

ˈjȯint 

1

a

: the point of contact of two bones in the animal body often including the surrounding and supporting parts

b

: node sense 2

c

: a part or space included between two joints, knots, or nodes

the upper joint of the arm

2

: a large piece of meat for roasting

3

: a place where two things or parts are joined

a joint in a pipe

4

a

: a cheap or shabby place of entertainment

b

: place entry 1 sense 2b, establishment

5

: a marijuana cigarette

jointed

-əd 

adjective

joint

2 of 3 adjective

1

: united sense 1, combined

a joint effort

2

: done by or shared by two or more persons

a joint account

3

: sharing with another

joint owner

jointly adverb

joint

3 of 3 verb

1

a

: to fit together

b

: to provide with a joint

2

: to separate the joints of

jointer noun

Medical Definition

joint

noun

ˈjȯint 

: the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton whether movable or rigidly fixed together with the surrounding and supporting parts (as membranes, tendons, or ligaments)

the capsule of the shoulder joint

Legal Definition

joint

adjective

1

: common to two or more: as

a

: involving the combined activity or negligence of two or more

a joint tort

see also joint tortfeasor compare several

b

: shared by or affecting two or more as a unit

a joint account

2

: united, joined, or sharing with another (as in a right or status)

joint heirs