joint

noun

\ ˈjȯint

plural joints

Definition of joint

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a(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

2a : 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

3a : 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

out of joint

1a of a bone : having the head slipped from its socket

b : at variance

2a : disordered sense 2a

b : being out of humor : dissatisfied losing put him out of joint

joint

adjective

Definition of joint (Entry 2 of 3)

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

joint

verb

jointed; jointing; joints

Definition of joint (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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

Other Words from joint Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About joint

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Other Words from joint

Noun

jointed \ ˈjȯin-təd

\ adjective

jointedly adverb

jointedness noun

Adjective

jointly adverb

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 The nod for the best barbecue joint in Texas according to Texas Monthly went to Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth, which opened in 2020. — Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Oct. 2021 Farther up the line, a man, standing behind a tree, had had his knee joint splintered by a ball. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2021 New restaurant FireBird Fowl in Uptown Dallas was initially going to be a Nashville hot chicken joint. — Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2021 The Seven Seas was a bus-stop joint across Hollywood Boulevard from Mann’s Chinese Theaters. — Mike Sager, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2021 What ensued were dozens of surgeries and excruciating rehab sessions in which the physical therapist bent and flexed the reconstructed knee, painfully popping and breaking up the excessive scar tissue that has formed around his knee joint. — Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Sep. 2021 There is a flexible ball-joint that rotates 360° for infinite viewing angles. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 19 Aug. 2021 What's now Franklin Barbecue has been named best barbecue joint in Texas by Texas Monthly and best barbecue restaurant in America by Bon Appetit. — Rex Nelson, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2021 There's an Indian joint that's like an Indian and New Orleans fusion, it's called Saffron. — Steve Baltin, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Meadows and Patel have had some communication with the committee, according to the joint statement issued Friday by Reps. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the committee’s chair, and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the vice chair. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2021 Ahead of Friday’s meeting, negotiators have been grappling over the language of a joint statement describing the tax rate, exceptions for certain kinds of companies and the implementation period, which some nations want to be drawn out for years. — New York Times, 7 Oct. 2021 Khalif Rainey and Russell Stamper II said in a joint statement. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 Oct. 2021 Speaking of a lack of leadership, LAFC and the Galaxy issued a joint statement Monday after multiple posts on social media showing brawls between supporters of the two clubs following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Dignity Health Sports Park. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2021 Scott Morrison saw fit to mention China in that joint statement, or any of their public statements. — Arthur Herman, National Review, 1 Oct. 2021 East Catholic is scheduled to play Region 10 in Burlington Friday evening, and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference expects East Catholic and Montville administrators will issue a joint statement before then. — Don Stacom, courant.com, 30 Sep. 2021 The event also is the first major joint appearance for the Cambridges following their two-month holiday, which traditionally takes place at the end of the summer. — Bianca Betancourt, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Sep. 2021 After a joint appearance at the Global Citizen Live concert in Central Park on Saturday, Meghan was spotted holding the Dior Lady D-Lite handbag, a take one of the go-to bags favored by Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. — Lanford Beard, PEOPLE.com, 27 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb While anyone can joint the waitlist, only residents who meet the state’s eligibility criteria and live in one of 17 ZIP codes will be invited to book appointments for the federal doses. — Dallas News, 25 Feb. 2021 To joint the meeting online, go to https://zoom.us/j/97915479743. — Roy Kent, Houston Chronicle, 20 Sep. 2020 The ramen joint in Prospect Lefferts Gardens is offering contactless pickup for everything from all-purpose flour to ramen noodles, homemade miso and stock. — Elspeth Velten, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2020 Hua only jointed Twitter -- which is blocked by China's Great Firewall -- relatively recently, one of a number of Chinese diplomats and foreign ministry officials who have taken to the platform to get their message out. — James Griffiths, CNN, 22 Apr. 2020 Even some of the most expensive hard swimbaits will blow out on a warp-speed retrieve, but Bucca’s jointed Bull Shad (available in sizes as small as 3 inches and up to 9 inches) is made to swim true at any speed. — Pete Robbins, Field & Stream, 2 Mar. 2020 Four years ago, Manchester native Unger and her family purchased Tuck Shop from DJ Fernandes, lending the popular Coronado joint a little European spit and polish, but largely leaving its homey, comfort food vibe intact. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, 17 Jan. 2020 Buffalo Spot This fast-casual wings joint opened two more Valley locations in Goodyear and Mesa. — Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, azcentral, 3 Feb. 2020 Finger-jointed trim stock is made from shorter pieces of wood, which are finger-jointed together at the ends to create longer pieces. — James Dulley, Dallas News, 5 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'joint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for joint

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

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Dictionary Entries Near joint

join (someone) in marriage/matrimony

joint

joint account

Statistics for joint

Last Updated

22 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Joint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joint. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for joint

joint

noun

English Language Learners Definition of joint

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a point where two bones meet in the body

: a place where two things or parts are joined

: a particular place

joint

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of joint (Entry 2 of 2)

: combining the work of two or more people or groups of people

: done by or involving two or more people

: doing something together

See the full definition for joint in the English Language Learners Dictionary

joint

noun

\ ˈjȯint

Kids Definition of joint

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a point where two bones of the skeleton come together usually in a way that allows motion The knee is a joint.

2 : a place where two things or parts are joined The pipe has a leaky joint.

3 : a part of a plant stem where a leaf or branch develops

4 : a business establishment a fried chicken joint

joint

adjective

Kids Definition of joint (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : joined together The joint effect of wind and rain caused erosion.

2 : done by or shared by two or more a joint bank account

joint

noun

\ ˈjȯint

Medical Definition of joint

: 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

out of joint

of a bone

: having the head slipped from its socket

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joint

adjective