join

1 of 2

verb

ˈjȯin 

joined; joining; joins

transitive verb

1

a

: to put or bring together so as to form a unit

join two blocks of wood with glue

b

: to connect (separated items, such as points) by a line

2

: to put or bring into close association or relationship

two people joined in marriage

3

a

: to come into the company of (someone)

She joined us for lunch.

b

: to associate oneself with

joined the church

join the navy

4

: to enter into or engage in (battle)

perhaps as many as 100 aircraft joined battle simultaneously

—Peter Hellman

5

: adjoin

his studio there joined that of the famous sculptor

—J. T. Marshall

intransitive verb

1

: to come into close association or relationship: such as

a

: to become a member of a group or organization

trying to get more people to join

—often used with up

She joined up last year.

b

: to take part in a collective activity

—usually used with in

join in singing

join in an effort

c

: to form an alliance

2

a

: to come together so as to be connected

nouns join to form compounds

the place where two rivers join

b

: adjoin

the two estates join

joinable

ˈjȯi-nə-bəl 

adjective

join

2 of 2

noun

1

: something that joins two things : a place or line where joining occurs : joint

the join of lid and box

2

mathematics : union sense 2d

Synonyms

Verb

• abut
• adjoin
• border (on)
• butt (on or against)
• flank
• fringe
• march (with)
• neighbor
• skirt
• touch
• verge (on)

Noun

• connection
• coupling
• joining
• joint
• jointure
• junction
• juncture

Choose the Right Synonym for join

join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union.

join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness.

joined forces in an effort to win

combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit.

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity.

the colonies united to form a republic

connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity.

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity.

a name forever linked with liberty

associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation.

opera is popularly associated with high society

relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection.

related what he observed to what he already knew

Examples of join in a Sentence

Verb

The islands are joined by a bridge.

He insisted that I join them for lunch.

We're going out for lunch. Would you like to join us?

The magician asked for a volunteer from the audience to join him on stage.

Everyone here joins me in congratulating you on a job well done!

The singer started alone but soon the whole audience joined in.

I joined the line and waited patiently to buy a ticket.

Hundreds of people have joined the effort to save the building from demolition.

He agreed to join the debate.

Join the Navy and see the world!

Noun

a small crack in the chalice at the join of the stem and the bowl

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

From left: Lee Cahill teaches his baby how to high-five, with Nelly the golden retriever joining in. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that the president will make a decision on whether to join Israel's strikes within two weeks and allow the diplomatic path to play out. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 20 June 2025

And so, emboldened, Allie and her best friend from high school, Carol Wilber, joined their brothers and began livestreaming on TikTok, too. —Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025

Following a media event at the World Expo taking place in Osaka, Yanai joined filmmaker and fund recipient Hasan Kattan, as well as managing director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam Clare Stewart, in speaking with WWD. —Kelly Wetherille, Footwear News, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French joindre, from Latin jungere — more at yoke

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing join

• join battle
• join/combine forces
• join hands
• join in marriage
• join (someone) in marriage/matrimony
• join the club
• join the crowd
• join the Mile High Club
• join up

Rhymes for join

• coin
• coyne
• groin
• koine
• loin
• moine
• moyen
• quoin
• adjoin
• benzoin
• bitcoin
• conjoin

Kids Definition

join

verb

ˈjȯin

1

a

: to bring or fasten together in close contact

join hands

b

: to connect (as points) by a line

c

: to become joined

place where two roads join

2

: to come or bring into close association

join a club

join in marriage

3

: to come into the company of

join friends for lunch

4

: adjoin sense 2

the two farms join

5

: to take part with others in an activity

join in singing

joinable

ˈjȯi-nə-bəl

adjective

Legal Definition

join

transitive verb

1

: to unite so as to form one unit

join the claims in one action

2

a

: to align oneself with especially in a legal matter

she joined her husband as plaintiff

b

: to cause or order (a person) to become a party to a lawsuit

if a person has not been joined as required, the court must order that the person be made a party

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 19(a)

compare consolidate, implead, interplead, intervene

c

: to enter into or participate in

join the suit

intransitive verb

1

: to come together so as to form a unit

the other victims of the scheme joined in the suit

2

: to commence involvement or participation

a person who refuses to join as a plaintiff may be made either a defendant, or…an involuntary plaintiff

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 19(a)

joinable adjective