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

State Route 273 ends at the junction of State Route 261, but follow the signs for another 3 miles to Big Lake. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2024

Finally, at 2 p.m. on March 20, the train lurched to a halt at the junction of Terowie, where Aussie rail track gauges changed and passengers had to swap trains. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024

Malfunction junction:Elon Musk chats up Donald Trump amid X tech glitches What did Trump have to say about the Time cover? —Maya Homan, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024

Boeing was forced to slow production at its 737 factory in Renton, Wash., last week because of an issue with junction boxes, which are used to rout electrical cables through planes, Seattle’s King 5 news first reported. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 13 Aug. 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