Benjamin

1 of 2

noun (1)

Ben·​ja·​min ˈben-jə-mən How to pronounce Benjamin (audio)
plural Benjamins
US slang
: a hundred dollar bill
Along the way, he amassed a small fortune, which he keeps in neat stacks of Benjamins in a closet by his bed.—Ben Mezrich

Benjamin

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

from the portrait of Benjamin Franklin that appears on a hundred dollar bill

Noun (2)

Hebrew Binyāmīn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1994, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Benjamin was in the 14th century

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benitoite
Benjamin
benjamin bush
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Cite this Entry

“Benjamin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Benjamin. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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Biographical Definition

Benjamin

biographical name

Ben·​ja·​min ˈben-jə-mən How to pronounce Benjamin (audio)
Judah Philip 1811–1884 American Confederate statesman and lawyer

More from Merriam-Webster on Benjamin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Benjamin

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