plural joints
1
a(1)
: the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it
the hip joint
(2)
b
: a part or space included between two articulations, knots, or nodes
2
a
: 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
3
a
: 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
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
jointly
adverb
jointed; jointing; joints
1
a
: to unite by a joint : fit together
joint two boards
her elbows and shoulders are jointed wrong—
Irish Digest
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
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
Synonyms
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
Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Doc Odd does a penknife incision to the man’s neck (hate this) and brings him down to the sick bay to insert a tracheal tube and physically wrench his sternoclavicular joint back into place, which the nurses find very risky.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
For married couples filing a joint return, only $500,000 is excluded from taxes.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Maya Polton, Parents, 18 Mar. 2024
That seemed the case when Broadway and singer and actress Patina Miller jointed the Ellington/Gershwin program.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for joint 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
People with sore joints should prioritize beds with good pressure relief.
—Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Doc Odd does a penknife incision to the man’s neck (hate this) and brings him down to the sick bay to insert a tracheal tube and physically wrench his sternoclavicular joint back into place, which the nurses find very risky.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The filing also details the company's investment in seven joint ventures, with a 40%-50% ownership interest, contributing $909,207 to net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
For married couples filing a joint return, only $500,000 is excluded from taxes.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
Plus, their arms and legs are jointed and their heads turn, so kiddos can set up scenes or have the bunnies interact with each other or doll furniture.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 18 Mar. 2024
That seemed the case when Broadway and singer and actress Patina Miller jointed the Ellington/Gershwin program.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for joint
Articles Related to joint
Dictionary Entries Near joint
Cite this Entry
“Joint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joint. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
joint
1 of 3 noun1
a
: the point of contact of two bones in the animal body often including the surrounding and supporting parts
b
c
: a part or space included between two joints, knots, or nodes
the upper joint of the arm
2
: a large piece of meat for roasting
3
: a place where two things or parts are joined
a joint in a pipe
4
a
: a cheap or shabby place of entertainment
5
: a marijuana cigarette
joint
2 of 3 adjective1
: united sense 1, combined
a joint effort
2
: done by or shared by two or more persons
a joint account
3
: sharing with another
joint owner
jointly
adverb
joint
3 of 3 verb1
a
: to fit together
b
: to provide with a joint
2
: to separate the joints of
jointer
noun
Medical Definition
joint
noun
: 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
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