What does "joint" mean?
The point where two components of a structure join, but are still able to rotate.
Joint
/d͡ʒɔɪnt/ adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The point where two components of a structure join, but are still able to rotate.
- Grammar: joint is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: articulation, junction, roast, abutment.
- Useful contrasts: insular, separate, sole.
- Usage evidence: We can lift the restrictions on imports once the joint agreement is signed.
How to use "joint"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "joint" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "joint" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "joint" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "joint" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "joint" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "articulation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "joint", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The point where two components of a structure join, but are still able to rotate.
"This rod is free to swing at the joint with the platform."
- 2 marijuana leaves rolled into a cigarette for smoking wordnet
- 3 The point where two components of a structure join rigidly.
"The water is leaking out of the joint between the two pipes."
- 4 junction by which parts or objects are joined together wordnet
- 5 Any part of an animalian body where two bones or exoskeleton segments are abutted, in most cases allowing that part of the body to be bent or straightened.
Show 16 more definitions
- 6 a disreputable place of entertainment wordnet
- 7 The means of securing together the meeting surfaces of components of a structure.
"The dovetail joint, while more difficult to make, is also quite strong."
- 8 (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion) wordnet
- 9 A cut of meat, especially (but not necessarily) (a) one containing a joint in the sense of an articulation or (b) one rolled up and tied.
"Near-synonym: roast"
- 10 a piece of meat roasted or for roasting and of a size for slicing into more than one portion wordnet
- 11 The part or space included between two joints, knots, nodes, or articulations.
"a joint of cane or of a grass stem; a joint of the leg"
- 12 the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made wordnet
- 13 A fracture in which the strata are not offset; a geologic joint.
- 14 A place of business, particularly in the food service or hospitality industries; sometimes extended to any place that is a focus of human connection or activity (e.g., schools, hangouts, party spots). US, slang
"It was the kind of joint you wouldn't want your boss to see you in."
- 15 A place of business, particularly in the food service or hospitality industries; sometimes extended to any place that is a focus of human connection or activity (e.g., schools, hangouts, party spots).; A place of resort for tramps. US, dated, slang
- 16 A place of business, particularly in the food service or hospitality industries; sometimes extended to any place that is a focus of human connection or activity (e.g., schools, hangouts, party spots).; An opium den. US, dated, slang
- 17 A place of business, particularly in the food service or hospitality industries; sometimes extended to any place that is a focus of human connection or activity (e.g., schools, hangouts, party spots).; Prison, jail, or lockup. US, slang
"Now you're gonna put me right back in the joint."
- 18 A marijuana cigarette. slang
"After locking the door and closing the shades, they lit the joint."
- 19 A syringe used to inject an illicit drug. dated, slang
"Captain Jack McMahon, chief of Houston's police narcotics division, holds tools of the “junkie” trade, including “joints” (syringes), needles, heroin, milk sugar (used to cut pure heroin), spoons for heating a shot of heroin (mixed with water), […]"
- 20 The penis. US, slang
"Inez called up Camille on the phone repeatedly and had long talks with her; they even talked about his joint, or so Dean claimed."
- 21 A thing.
"a Spike Lee joint"
Verb
- 1 To unite by a joint or joints; to fit together; to prepare so as to fit together transitive
"to joint boards"
- 2 past participle of join; joined. archaic, form-of, nonstandard, participle, past, uncommon
"Jesus confirmed it by saying, 'What God has joint together, let not man put asunder'."
- 3 separate (meat) at the joint wordnet
- 4 To join; to connect; to unite; to combine. transitive
"But soon that war had end, and the time's state Made friends of them, jointing their force 'gainst Caesar"
- 5 fasten with a joint wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 To provide with a joint or joints; to articulate. transitive
"The fingers are […]jointed together for motion."
- 7 provide with a joint wordnet
- 8 To separate the joints; of; to divide at the joint or joints; to disjoint; to cut up into joints, as meat. transitive
"Another time alſo being minded to entertain king Priamus friendly, when he came unto his pavilion: / He then beſtir'd himſelfe, and caught up ſoone, / A good white ſheepe, whoſe throat he cut anon. / but about cutting it up, quartering, jointing, ſeething, and roſting, he ſpent a great part of the night: […]"
- 9 fit as if by joints wordnet
- 10 To fit as if by joints; to coalesce as joints do. intransitive
"the stones joint, neatly."
Adjective
- 1 United, combined not-comparable
"the joint influences of culture and climate"
- 2 Done by two or more people or organisations working together. not-comparable
"The play was a joint production between the two companies."
Adjective
- 1 involving both houses of a legislature wordnet
- 2 united or combined wordnet
- 3 affecting or involving two or more wordnet
Example
"We can lift the restrictions on imports once the joint agreement is signed."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "joint"?
Common synonyms include: articulation, junction, roast, abutment, abysm, abyss.
How do you use "joint" in a sentence?
We can lift the restrictions on imports once the joint agreement is signed.
How do you pronounce "joint"?
Pronounced /d͡ʒɔɪnt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
The noun is from Middle English joynt (attested since the late 13th century), from Old French joint (“joint of the body”) (attested since the 12th century). The adjective (attested since the 15th century) is from Old French jointiz. Both Old French words are from Latin iūnctus, the past participle of iungō. See also join, jugular, junction. The meaning of "building, establishment", especially in connection with shady activities, appeared in Anglo-Irish by 1821 and entered general American English slang by 1877, especially in the sense of "opium den". The sense "marijuana cigarette" is attested since 1935. The development to meaning "any thing" also happened to the Scots and Memphian form junt and the Mid-Atlantic/Philadelphian form jawn.
Etymology 2
From Middle English or following the -t model for forming a past participle.