# Joshua

/ˈdʒɑˌʃuə/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/joshua
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a common male name from the Bible. It is often shortened to Josh in casual conversation.

For teachers: a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'Yahweh is salvation'. In a biblical context, it refers to the leader who succeeded Moses.

## Examples

- Joshua is starting his new job on Monday.
- The teacher called on Joshua to answer the question about the solar system.
- In the Old Testament, Joshua is depicted as a military leader who led the Israelites into the Promised Land after their long journey through the wilderness.

## Usage notes

- As a proper noun, it is typically capitalized and used without an article unless referring to a specific person among others with the same name.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.