joint

n. countable

B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈdʒɔɪnt// UK //dʒˈɔɪnt// joint

Archaic Dialect General-service Slang

n. a place in your body where two bones meet, like your knee or elbow. It can also mean a place where two parts of an object are connected. In casual talk, it is sometimes used to describe a place like a restaurant or a bar.

n. the point of connection between two bones in the body or between two components of a structure. In informal register, it refers to a specific establishment, typically one providing food, drink, or entertainment.

SIMPLE

My knee joint feels a bit stiff after the long run.

CONTEXTUAL

The carpenter applied extra glue to the joint where the chair leg meets the seat to ensure it stays strong.

COMPLEX

While the surgeon focused on repairing the damaged joint, the patient was already considering which local burger joint they would visit once their recovery was complete.

Synonyms

Antonyms

separate

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. Partially displaced English lith. 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.

Usage

Commonly used in anatomical contexts or construction; the informal sense 'establishment' is widely used in North American English.

Idioms3 entries