American

[join] / dʒɔɪn /

verb (used with object)

joins,
present (3rd person singular)
joined,
past participle, past
joining
present participle

to bring in contact, connect, or bring or put together.

to join hands; to join pages with a staple.

Synonyms:

amalgamate, consolidate, associate, combine, conjoin, attach, fasten, couple, link

Antonyms:

divide, separate
to come into contact or union with.

The brook joins the river.
to bring together in a particular relation or for a specific purpose, action, etc.; unite.

to join forces against the smugglers.
to become a member of (an organization, party, etc.).

to join a club.
to enlist in (one of the armed forces).

to join the Navy.
to come into the company of; meet or accompany.

I'll join you later.
to participate with (someone) in some act or activity.

My wife joins me in thanking you for the gift.
to unite in marriage.
to meet or engage in (battle, conflict, etc.).

The opposing armies joined battle.
to adjoin; meet.

His land joins mine.

Synonyms:

border, abut
to draw a curve or straight line between.

to join two points on a graph.

verb (used without object)

joins,
present (3rd person singular)
joined,
past participle, past
joining
present participle

to come into or be in contact or connection.

a place where cliffs and sea join.
to become united, associated, or combined; associate or ally oneself; participate (usually followed bywith ).

Please join with us in our campaign.
to take part with others (often followed byin ).

Let's all join in.
to be contiguous or close; lie or come together; form a junction.

Our farms join along the river.
to enlist in one of the armed forces (often followed byup ).

He joined up to fight for his country.
to meet in battle or conflict.

noun

joins
plural

a joining.
a place or line of joining; seam.
Mathematics. union.

join British

/ dʒɔɪn /

verb

to come or bring together; connect
to become a member of (a club, organization, etc)
to become associated or allied
to take part
(tr) to meet (someone) as a companion
(tr) to become part of; take a place in or with
(tr) to unite (two people) in marriage
(tr) geometry to connect with a straight line or a curve
(tr) an informal word for adjoin
to start fighting
to report for work after a period of leave or a strike
1. to hold one's own hands together
2. (of two people) to hold each other's hands
3. (usually foll by with) to work together in an enterprise or task

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

a joint; seam
the act of joining
maths another name for union

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What are other ways to say join?

To join is to bring in contact, connect, or bring together. How is join different from connect and unite? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

joins

plural

Conjugated Forms

Etymology

Origin of join

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English joinen, from Old French joign- (stem of joindre “to join”), from Latin jungere “to join”; see yoke ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

To join is to connect, attach, or become a member of. You could join two puzzle pieces together or join the Girl Scouts; it's your choice. You can join two plastic tubes to make a long tunnel for your pet hamster, and you can also join a club — in other words, become a member or a part of the group. You can also join in with a song or join the staff of a swimming pool as a lifeguard. Join comes from the Old French word joindre, "connect or unite," from the Latin root iungere, "to join together, unite, or yoke."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

join joins joined joining

Uganda officially named its oil "Pearl Sweet" on Wednesday as its energy secretary said it expects to join the club of oil-exporting nations by the end of the year.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

Persistence and commitment to keep grinding are terrific qualities for any athlete, and that’s what former All-City Section quarterback Diego Montes from Granada Hills Kennedy High showed in his pursuit to join UCLA’s football program.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Children 17 and younger can join an adult in line for free, subject to certain rules.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

His first choice was to join Real Madrid but the La Liga giants never came in with an offer, feeling the Premier League midfielder was overpriced.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

At last I heard Betsie stirring in the kitchen and ran down to join her.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

And now, Aliso Beach joins the list of areas confronted by erosion problems.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

The 25-year-old also joins a unique trio of players that have broken the British transfer record twice in their careers during the Premier League era along with former England internationals Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Jackson, 25, joins a number of new additions including Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Zion Suzuki and Matteo Ruggeri.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

Analysts say Winter's rising star could siphon votes from Smotrich's base, potentially preventing his Religious Zionism party from clearing the electoral threshold of 3.25 percent unless it joins a list with another party.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

It isn’t until Emmett waves from the porch later, his phone in his outstretched hand, that Axel drops from the fence and joins the others.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers

The Algeria winger joined Al Ahli from Manchester City in 2023, scoring 37 goals in 122 appearances in all competitions.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

Garcia joined Fields in the back row, watching as Steel cross-examined Kacey Hester, also known as OTF Jam, one of the admitted shooters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Tyler joined the board as a nonexecutive director in April 2025 and was appointed interim chairman on May 26 after BP removed Albert Manifold, citing “serious concerns” about governance and conduct.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The pay is so low that many seek work elsewhere, or have joined an exodus of people trying to leave the island altogether.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

“I’ll see you later,” Nicole said with a smile, then joined friends out in the hallway.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

Reports suggest he will stay in the Saudi league and is close to joining Al-Shabab.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

In July, after joining the Angels as interim general manager, John Mozeliak said he had spoken with Moreno for hours and the topic of whether the owner might sell the team “never came up.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

At the world premiere for series two of the Netflix show on Wednesday night, stars including Maya Jama, Hugh Bonneville and Theo James remained tight-lipped about the prospect of Meghan joining the cast.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

The meeting is spread over two days, with Musk joining by video call on Tuesday, and Huang and Altman expected in person on Wednesday for fireside chats with Lutnick.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

He shrugged and ran off, joining two more boys waiting for him at the shop door.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023