joint

noun

\ ˈjȯint

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

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

In Jamaica, jerk joints use pimento or sweetwood (laurel), but Bucher uses a secret technique to match the flavor with Wisconsin hardwood. — Kevin Revolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's coolest diner in the middle of a forest is now serving craft beer and jerk chicken out of shipping containers," 16 Aug. 2019 Sever the connections at one end of the bone and then the other, and cut away any remaining bits of cartilage or joints. — Bonnie S. Benwick, The Denver Post, "Need a golden brown chicken schnitzel that’s crispy without being greasy? This is it.," 14 Aug. 2019 The two sides have been working on a new joint contract since 2015 following the merger between American and U.S. Airways in 2013. — Dallas News, "American Airlines demands mechanics' unions pay for 'enormous financial losses' from flight delays, cancellations," 13 Aug. 2019 That cover was designed to be sturdy, but as Business Insider reports, over the years corrosion has occurred due to water finding its way in via openings in the ceilings and the building's unsealed joints. — Fox News, "Chernobyl's 'sarcophagus' being dismantled due to 'very high' probability of collapse," 8 Aug. 2019 Especially for those age 40 and older, exercises that place heavy amounts of stress on the knees, shoulders and other joints are going to come with a high risk of injury, Werner says. — Markham Heid, Time, "The Best Sports and Exercises to Avoid Injury," 7 Aug. 2019 The building lacks any welded or bolted joints, meaning that an earthquake would easily destroy it. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Chernobyl's Historic Sarcophagus to Be Dismantled," 7 Aug. 2019 These ought to be prime years of careers taking off and starting families, before joints really begin to ache. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "22 percent of millennials say they have “no friends”," 1 Aug. 2019 As for sandwiches, Jersey Mike's dethroned Wawa as this year's No. 1 sandwich joint. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Chick-fil-A named America's favorite fast food restaurant, dethroning In-N-Out," 1 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Pressure created by outside linebacker Von Miller forced San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to throw off-balance and be intercepted by Simmons late in Thursday’s joint practice. — Ryan O'halloran, The Denver Post, "Broncos safety Justin Simmons adds to camp interception total," 16 Aug. 2019 Last year, Denmark opted for joint funding with Greenland to prevent China getting control. — Christian Wienberg, Fortune, "Does Trump Really Want to Buy Greenland?," 16 Aug. 2019 In addition to claiming that Nicki refused to shoot a video for the single or post about it on her Instagram page, the person also inferred that Nicki had given preferential treatment to her joint single with Megan Thee Stallion. — Essence, "Trina: 'I Won't Tolerate Any Disrespect For Nicki Minaj Or Anyone Else That's On My Album'," 15 Aug. 2019 The hyoid starts out as three small bones with joint-like connections but hardens during middle age into a U-shape that can break more easily. — Aaron C. Davis, chicagotribune.com, "Autopsy finds broken bones in Jeffrey Epstein’s neck, sources say," 15 Aug. 2019 According to a joint statement released by Africa Check and Facebook on Wednesday, the number of languages covered by the fact-checking effort will expand by 10. — Aisha Salaudeen, CNN, "Facebook fights fake news using more African languages," 15 Aug. 2019 Among his long list of symptoms: rashes, joint pain and migraine headaches. — NBC News, "Search for bone marrow match shows struggles for people of color," 15 Aug. 2019 The joint outing takes place after Hadid, 24, and Cameron, 26, were photographed leaving the model's apartment separately on Monday, according to photos published by E! — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Gigi Hadid and Tyler Cameron Hang Out in NYC Again," 14 Aug. 2019 For instance, consider the F-35 joint strike fighter, a stealth aircraft designed to take off like a helicopter, fly at supersonic speeds and manage aircraft-carrier landings. — Rebecca U. Thorpe, The Conversation, "One budget line Congress can agree on: Spending billions on the US military," 14 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Shannon and David, who are parents to three daughters — Sophie, 17, and 14-year-old twins Stella and Adeline — have agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their daughters. — Eric Todisco, PEOPLE.com, "Shannon Beador Awarded $138,000 from RHOC Alum Alexis Bellino’s Ex-Husband Jim," 13 June 2019 The couple jointed other A-list guests at an annual pre-BAFTAs gathering hosted by Charles Finch and Chanel, which took place at the private club 5 Hertford Street and its downstairs club, Loulou's, WWD reports. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Irina Shayk Looked So Chic in All-White Chanel for a Night Out with Bradley Cooper," 11 Feb. 2019 With today’s announcement, Bird has once again asked other dockless transit companies to joint them in taking the pledge. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Scooter startup Bird plans to fund protected bike lanes," 2 Aug. 2018 Rocky River: Area residents are invited to joint the Veterans' Council for Rocky River and Lakewood for a Memorial Day parade that begins at Rocky River High School at 10 a.m. May 28. — Linda Gandee/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Memorial Day parades and remembrance ceremonies coming up in Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake," 14 May 2018 At each performances, a local celebrities from the audience are called upon to joint the cast of spellers. — Laura Demarco, cleveland.com, ""The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is poignant and F-U-N (review)," 21 Apr. 2018 Recently his son West jointed the P&CMA board for a three-year term. — William Thornton, AL.com, "Hollar inducted into Petroleum & Convenience Marketers HOF," 24 Jan. 2018 Randolph is an instructor flying training hub, Lackland home to Air Force basic training and Fort Sam home to joint medic instruction for the armed services. — Sig Christenson, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas cities eye possible government shutdown with anger, frustration," 17 Jan. 2018 The eight legs of the Octopod clock are jointed; the articulations can be unlocked by a button in each leg, and posed in a standing or extended position. — Jack Forster, Bloomberg.com, "Creepy or Incredible? This $36,000 Clock Looks Like a Robot Octopus," 19 Sep. 2017

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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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