joins

"Joins" is the third-person singular present form of the verb "join." It has a few closely related but distinct meanings, all revolving around the idea of connecting, combining, or becoming part of something.

1verbbecoming a member

When someone joins a group, club, organization, or team, they become a part of it. Think of it like stepping through a door and becoming one of the people inside.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She joins the gym every January but stops going by February.

He joins the company as a junior engineer next Monday.

Every new student joins a class on their first day of school.

2verbconnecting two things

When something joins two objects or places, it connects them — like a bridge joins two sides of a river, or a wire joins two devices.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

A narrow path joins the two villages.

This cable joins the keyboard to the computer.

The new road joins the highway at the northern exit.

3verbcoming together with someone

When a person joins someone, they go to where that person is and do something together with them. It is a very natural, social use of the word.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

My friend joins me for lunch every Friday.

He finishes his meeting and then joins the rest of the group.

She waves at us and joins our table at the café.

4verbmerging into one (rivers, roads, lines)

When two rivers, roads, or lines join, they meet at a point and become one. This is a very common use in geography and descriptions of physical spaces.

geography / everyday language · Modern, widely used

The river joins the sea just south of the city.

This road joins the main highway after five kilometres.

The two pipes join at the corner of the wall.

5verbfigurativetaking part in an activity

When someone joins an activity, a conversation, or an effort, they start participating in it alongside others. It is slightly different from joining a group — here the focus is on the action, not the membership.

everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

He joins the discussion whenever he has something useful to say.

She joins the protest march every year.

The whole family joins the celebration on New Year's Eve.