Word History
Etymology
Middle English frankeleyn, from Anglo-French franclein, from franc
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of franklin was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near franklin
Cite this Entry
“Franklin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/franklin. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
Geographical Definition
Franklin
geographical name
Frank·lin
ˈfraŋ-klən
1
city in east central Massachusetts population 31,635
2
town in central Tennessee south of Nashville population 62,487
3
city in southeastern Wisconsin, a south-southwestern suburb of Milwaukee population 35,451
4
former district in the northern part of the Northwest Territories, Canada, including the Arctic islands and Boothia and Melville peninsulas; area now divided between Nunavut and the Northwest Territories
Biographical Definition
Franklin 1 of 4
biographical name (1)
Frank·lin
ˈfraŋ-klən
Aretha (Louise) 1942–2018 American singer
Franklin
2 of 4biographical name (2)
Benjamin 1706–1790 American statesman and philosopher
Franklin
3 of 4biographical name (3)
Sir John 1786–1847 English arctic explorer
Franklin
4 of 4biographical name (4)
Rosalind Elsie 1920–1958 English biophysicist
More from Merriam-Webster on franklin
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about franklin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share