Joseph

/ˈdʒoʊsɪf/

/ˈdʒʌʊsɪf/

Other forms: Josephs

Definitions of Joseph

1. noun

   (New Testament) husband of Mary and (in Christian belief) the foster father of Jesus
   example of:

   carpenter

   a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
2. noun

   (Old Testament) the 11th son of Jacob and one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel; Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colors, which made his brothers jealous and they sold him into slavery in Egypt
   example of:

   patriarch

   any of the early biblical characters regarded as fathers of the human race
3. noun

   leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
   synonyms: Chief Joseph

   example of:

   Nez Perce

   a member of a tribe of the Shahaptian people living on the pacific coast

   Indian chief, Indian chieftain

   the leader of a group of Native Americans