join
v.v. to become a member of a group or to connect two things together. You use this when you start a new job, enter a club, or put two pieces of a puzzle together.
v. to become a member of an organization or group; to connect or fasten two or more things together. Transitive when taking an object, but also functions intransitively in certain contexts.
I want to join the local gym this weekend.
You can join the online meeting by clicking the link in your email invitation.
The new bridge will join the two coastal towns, significantly reducing the travel time for commuters who currently rely on the ferry service.
From Middle English joinen, joynen, joignen, from Old French joindre, juindre, jungre, from Latin iungō (“join, yoke”, verb), from Proto-Indo-European *yewg- (“to join, unite”). Cognate with Old English iucian, iugian, ġeocian, ġyċċan (“to join; yoke”). More at yoke.
The verb is often transitive, taking a direct object, but can be used with 'in' when participating in an activity.
I joined to the clubI joined the clubWhen becoming a member of a group, the verb is transitive and does not require the preposition 'to'.