James

biographical name

P(hyllis) D(orothy) 1920–2014 Baroness James of Holland Park British writer

Cite this Entry

Style

“James.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/James. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

James

noun

ˈjāmz

: a moral lecture addressed to early Christians and included as a book in the New Testament see bible

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

saturnine

Listen to the pronunciation of saturnine

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Cattywampus, Taradiddle, and More Funny-Sounding Words

The Words of the Week - Jun 12

Popular

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

Strange Words for Body Functions