junction

noun

junc·​tion ˈjəŋ(k)-shən 

1

: an act of joining : the state of being joined

2

a

: a place or point of meeting

b

: an intersection of roads especially where one terminates

c

: a point (as in a thermocouple) at which dissimilar metals make contact

d

: an interface in a semiconductor device between regions with different electrical characteristics

3

: something that joins

junctional

ˈjəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of junction

• intersection
• juncture

Examples of junction in a Sentence

a junction of nerves and muscle

the junction of Route 12 and Route 87

Recent Examples on the Web

Precautionary measure The rains caused a short circuit in a junction box, leading a lift station to malfunction, officials said. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026

The mesh has to stretch to fit, subtly changing the positions of every junction. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

The ranch spans about 245 acres and sits at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 84, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Fiber from the backbone would run to networking equipment at each town’s electrical substation, where passive optical splitters would distribute the connection among many households without requiring powered equipment at every junction. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin junction-, junctio, from jungere to join — more at yoke

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing junction

• box junction
• gap junction
• Josephson junction

Rhymes for junction

• function
• unction
• adjunction
• compunction
• conjunction
• disjunction
• dysfunction
• injunction
• malfunction
• eigenfunction
• multifunction
• heterojunction

Kids Definition

junction

noun

junc·​tion ˈjəŋ(k)-shən 

1

: an act of joining : the state of being joined

2

: a place or point of meeting

a railroad junction

Medical Definition

junction

noun

junc·​tion ˈjəŋ(k)-shən 

: a place or point of meeting

the structure of the synaptic junction as revealed by electron microscopy

see neuromuscular junction

junctional

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective