junction

noun

junc·​tion ˈjəŋ(k)-shən 
Synonyms of junction
1
: an act of joining : the state of being joined
2
a
: a place or point of meeting
b
: an intersection of roads especially where one terminates
c
: a point (as in a thermocouple) at which dissimilar metals make contact
d
: an interface in a semiconductor device between regions with different electrical characteristics
3
: something that joins
junctional
ˈjəŋ(k)-sh(ə-)nəl 
adjective

Synonyms of junction

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of junction in a Sentence

a junction of nerves and muscle the junction of Route 12 and Route 87
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The measurements showed that internal dendrites formed at defects such as pores and grain-boundary junctions. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 The derailment was caused by an overheated journal box that led to an axle breaking as the train passed through the junction. — USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 To counteract this, daily calf stretches are recommended to decrease strain and tension along the musculotendinous junction of the Achilles tendon. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 Precautionary measure The rains caused a short circuit in a junction box, leading a lift station to malfunction, officials said. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for junction

Word History

Etymology

Latin junction-, junctio, from jungere to join — more at yoke

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of junction was in 1711

Phrases Containing junction

Rhymes for junction

See All Rhymes for junction

Browse Nearby Words

Juncos
junction
junctional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Junction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/junction. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

junction

noun
junc·​tion ˈjəŋ(k)-shən 
1
: an act of joining : the state of being joined
2
: a place or point of meeting
a railroad junction

Medical Definition

junction

noun
junc·​tion ˈjəŋ(k)-shən 
: a place or point of meeting
the structure of the synaptic junction as revealed by electron microscopy
see neuromuscular junction
junctional
-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All