benjamin

¹

[ ben-juh-muhn ]

noun

1. benzoin ¹( def 2 ).

Benjamin

²

[ ben-juh-muhn ]

noun

1. 1. (in the Bible) the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph.
   2. one of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel, traditionally descended from him.
2. Asher, 1773–1845, U.S. architect and writer.
3. Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman.
4. a first name: from a Hebrew word meaning “son of the right.”

Benjamin

¹

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. Old Testament
   1. the youngest and best-loved son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:16–18; 42:4)
   2. the tribe descended from this patriarch
   3. the territory of this tribe, northwest of the Dead Sea
2. archaic.
   a youngest and favourite son

Benjamin

²

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. BenjaminArthur18931960MAustralianMUSIC: composer Arthur . 1893–1960, Australian composer. In addition to Jamaican Rumba (1938), he wrote five operas and a harmonica concerto (1953)
2. ˈbɛnɪamin BenjaminWalter18921940MGermanWRITING: criticSOCIAL SCIENCE: cultural theorist Walter (ˈvaltər). 1892–1940, German critic and cultural theorist

benjamin

³

/ ˈbɛndʒəmɪn /

noun

1. another name for benzoin
2. benjamin bush
   another name for spicebush

Word History and Origins

Origin of benjamin¹

1570–80; alteration (by association with the proper name) of benjoin, early form of benzoin ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of benjamin¹

C16: variant of benzoin ; influenced in form by the name Benjamin

Example Sentences

When the clock strikes 12, Benjamin must quickly find the bright green button that says, “Get in line.”

From Washington Post

A local reporter in Florida has become seniors’ unofficial vaccine hotlineThe flawed nature of the vaccine rollout has not been lost on Benjamin, who faces a long wait until he’ll be eligible for a shot himself.

From Washington Post

Hopefully, the process doesn’t take too long, because Benjamin has to sleep.

From Washington Post

At 14, Benjamin could be filling his free time with sports and video games.

From Washington Post

People requesting the time slots have shared a lot of sad stories, Benjamin said.

From Washington Post

I remember H. Jon Benjamin told me it was a way-too-late apology for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

From The Daily Beast

Like Bush 41 and Shamir, Bill Clinton and Benjamin Netanyahu were not exactly soul mates.

From The Daily Beast

Benjamin Franklin warned against making any hasty conclusions on such “a point of great importance.”

From The Daily Beast

Anderson pleaded with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ban clothing made from animal fur.

From The Daily Beast

I think Abraham Lincoln: A Biography by Benjamin P. Thomas, which was published 60 years ago, is magical.

From The Daily Beast

As he was a great worker all his life, “Busy,” or “ Benjamin Ceased” would significantly express his death-date.

From Project Gutenberg

And over against the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side, one portion for Simeon.

From Project Gutenberg

And for the rest of the tribes: from the east side to the west side, one portion for Benjamin.

From Project Gutenberg

Benjamin Thompson died; formerly a timber merchant, translator of the German Theatre, and author of several other productions.

From Project Gutenberg

Benjamin Franklin went through life an altered man, because he once paid too dearly for a penny whistle.

From Project Gutenberg