join
join — verb
- joinpresent simple I / you / we / they
- joinshe / she / it
- joinedpast simple
- joining-ing form
1. to put two or more objects together and fix them in position so they become one
to put two or more objects together and fix them in position so they become one connected piece
Liang joined the two pieces of wood with strong glue and left them to dry.
join + noun + with + noun (tool/instrument)
The plumber joined the copper pipes using a special fitting.
passive use: joined + using + [method]
Roya carefully joined the edges of the fabric with tiny stitches.
A small metal bracket was used to join the shelf to the wall.
- join with glue
- join to a surface
- join together
- join the pieces
Grammar Patterns
join + noun + to/with + noun
Usage Note
Often used with a preposition like 'to' or 'with' to show what two things are being attached.
Common Mistakes
2. to reach the same location and connect — used when talking about roads, rivers,
to reach the same location and connect — used when talking about roads, rivers, paths, or other routes
The two hiking trails join near the waterfall in the forest.
intransitive: two things + join + location
A small footpath joins the main road just past the old church.
The railway lines join at a large station outside the city centre.
The Amazon River is formed where two smaller rivers join high in the mountains.
passive: is formed where + [thing] + join
- rivers join
- roads join
- paths join
- lines join
- join at a point
Grammar Patterns
noun + join + noun (road/path/river patterns)
Usage Note
Subject is always a route or line (road, river, path, pipe, cable). This sense rarely takes a human subject.
Common Mistakes
3. to spend time with other people doing something or going somewhere together
to spend time with other people doing something or going somewhere together
Would you like to join us for dinner at the Thai restaurant tonight?
join + person + for + activity
Vinícius joined a weekend photography class to improve his camera skills.
Ife joined the neighbours in cleaning up the park after the storm.
join + person + in + [activity]
More than two hundred people joined the charity walk last Saturday.
Ezra laughed when his little sister tried to join the grown-up conversation.
join + noun (abstract activity)
- join someone for
- join in
- join the fun
- join a group
- join the search
- participate in
more formal; used for organised events
- take part in
similar to participate; neutral register
- accompany
only for going somewhere with someone, not for activities
Grammar Patterns
join + noun (person/activity)
join + in + noun
join + for + noun
Usage Note
Use 'join in' (intransitive) when no direct object follows: 'We started dancing, and soon everyone joined in.'
Common Mistakes
4. to officially become part of a club, team, company, or other organisation
to officially become part of a club, team, company, or other organisation
Christopher joined the school basketball team at the start of the term.
join + [team/organisation]
Rohan decided to join the local library so he could borrow books for free.
Asher's older brother joined the air force after finishing university.
You have to pay a small fee to join the fitness centre near the station.
Iris joined an online group for writers who share stories and advice.
join + [online group / community]
- join a club
- join an organisation
- join the army
- join a team
- join a gym
- become a member of
more formal and explicit about membership
- sign up for
focuses on the enrolment process rather than the state of being a member
- enrol in
used especially for courses or educational programmes
- leave
to stop being a member of a group
- resign from
to formally end membership, especially in a professional context
- quit
informal; to stop being a member
Grammar Patterns
join + noun (organisation/club/team)
Common Mistakes
5. to be counted among a very large set of people sharing the same experience or si
to be counted among a very large set of people sharing the same experience or situation
Thousands of runners join the London marathon every spring.
join + [large-scale event]
Luca joined the millions of people who watched the concert live online.
join + the millions / thousands of
After the factory closed, many workers joined the ranks of the unemployed.
Aylin joined the crowd of fans waiting outside the theatre for the star.
- join the millions
- join the ranks
- join the crowd
- join the queue
- swell the ranks of
more formal; often used for statistics or commentary
Grammar Patterns
join + noun (large group / rank / crowd)
Usage Note
Common with expressions like 'join the millions of', 'join the ranks of', or 'join the crowd of'. Subject is a person becoming part of an undifferentiated large group.
Common Mistakes
6. if separate groups, organisations, or things join, they combine to form a single
if separate groups, organisations, or things join, they combine to form a single new unit or work together closely
The two small banks joined to create one larger financial group.
intransitive: two [things] + join + to + verb
The choir joined with the orchestra for the final piece of the evening.
join + with + [group]
Three local towns joined their money to build a new hospital.
Several environmental groups joined forces to protect the ancient forest.
collocation: join forces
- join forces
- join together
- join with
- join an alliance
Grammar Patterns
join + with + noun
join + noun + to + noun
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'forces' (join forces = work together toward a common goal) and 'together' (join together). In business contexts, 'merge' is often preferred.
Common Mistakes
join in
phrasal verbTo take part in an activity with other people.
When the kids started playing soccer, Aiden joined in.
Why don't you join in the discussion? We need your ideas.
join up
phrasal verbTo become a member of an organization, especially the military.
After college, Maya decided to join up and serve in the army.
Many young people join up to gain skills and travel.
When you cannot defeat someone or be as successful, it is better to cooperate with them and maybe gain something.
Mina decided if you can’t beat them, join them and worked with the rival team.
If you can’t beat them, join them, so Brian started using the same software as his colleagues.
To start fighting someone.
The two armies joined battle at dawn near the river.
Local residents joined battle with the council over the new parking rules.
join the club
idiomUsed to say that a bad thing that happened to someone also happened to you.
So you failed the test? Join the club! I failed too.
You lost your keys? Join the club, Sara lost hers yesterday.
To work together to achieve a common goal.
The two companies joined forces to develop a new app.
Diego and his friend combined forces to finish the project on time.
If two people join hands, they hold each other's hands.
The teacher asked the children to join hands and form a circle.
At the wedding, the couple joined hands and smiled at each other.
join — noun
- joinsingular
- joinsplural
1. the point at which two separate objects come together, often marked by a visible
the point at which two separate objects come together, often marked by a visible line
A rubber seal covers the join between the shower wall and the floor.
the join + between + noun + and + noun
You can see a faint join where the two carpets meet in the hallway.
The pipes were connected with a strong metal join that does not leak.
Dewi sanded the wooden frame to make the join smooth and invisible.
- the join between
- a join in
- a visible join
- a smooth join
- a metal join
- joint
more common; used for body parts (knee joint) as well as mechanical connections
- seam
specifically where two pieces of fabric or material are stitched or welded
- connection
broader; can refer to non-physical links as well
Grammar Patterns
the + join + between + noun + and + noun
a + join + in + noun
Usage Note
Often used in construction, plumbing, or woodworking contexts. In everyday speech, 'joint' is more common for body parts or pre-built connections.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/3
'Join', 'participate', 'take part', 'attend', and 'enter' all relate to being involved in something, but they differ in grammar and scope. 'Join' is the most socially oriented word — you join people or an activity with a group ('join us for coffee', 'join the game'). 'Participate' and 'take part in' are more formal and always require 'in' ('participate in a discussion', 'take part in a competition'); they focus on the activity itself rather than the group. 'Attend' is limited to events you go to as a listener or spectator ('attend a lecture', 'attend a wedding') and does not imply active involvement. 'Enter' suggests signing up for a competition or contest ('enter a race'). For everyday social situations, 'join' is the most natural choice: 'Why don't you join us?' sounds warm and inviting, whereas 'Why don't you participate?' sounds stiff in comparison.
Common collocations
Phrases
- join hands
- join forces
- join the club
Etymology
The word 'join' entered English through Old French 'joindre', which came from Latin 'iungere' — meaning to yoke, connect, or bring together. The Latin root also gave us 'junction', 'conjunction', and 'joint'. The sense of becoming a member of a group developed in the 1500s, while the physical fastening sense has been in English since the 1200s.