junction

noun

junc·​tion ˈjəŋ(k)-shən 

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

• connection
• coupling
• join
• joining
• joint
• jointure
• juncture

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

Thessaloniki Start your trip in Thessaloniki — Greece’s second largest city and trade junction, with a major airport and seaport along the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. —Sucheta Rawal, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2024

Even at the junction of Cactus Forest Road and SR 79, law enforcement will regulate traffic, slowing down speeds and potentially causing further delays. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

His self-immolation, in a busy road junction in Saigon, was designed for maximum publicity, with journalists contacted beforehand. —Austin Chen, theweek, 15 Mar. 2024

See how this Italian startup recovers valuable materials without toxic chemicals Emily Waltz 8h 7 min read A solar panel broken down yields silicon, glass, copper, a junction box and an aluminum frame. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing junction

• box junction
• gap junction
• Josephson junction

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