name
Common
Joshua
JO-shoor
Joshua (name) means a book of the Hebrew Bible, and its central figure, who led the Israelites after the death of Moses. Example: “The Book of Joshua describes the conquest of Canaan.”
name
1
A book of the Hebrew Bible, and its central figure, who led the Israelites after the death of Moses.
"The Book of Joshua describes the conquest of Canaan."
2
A common male given name from Hebrew.
"Joshua is the oldest of three brothers."
noun
1
Short for Joshua tree, a spiky, tree-like desert plant native to the American Southwest.
"The hikers photographed a cluster of joshuas silhouetted against the sunset."
How to use Joshua
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA biblical name meaning "God saves," also used for the iconic desert tree.
Common pairings
Joshua Tree National Park
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Word forms
- Plural
- Joshuas
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The Book of _____ describes the conquest of Canaan.
Etymology
From the Biblical Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation" — linguistically related to the name Jesus by way of Greek and Aramaic.
Synonyms
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yucca
yucca palm
Related words
Rhymes for Joshua
See all rhymes for Joshua →Frequently asked questions
What does “Joshua” mean?
The word “Joshua” means a book of the Hebrew Bible, and its central figure, who led the Israelites after the death of Moses. In plain terms, a biblical name meaning "God saves," also used for the iconic desert tree.
How do you pronounce “Joshua”?
“Joshua” is pronounced JO-shoor (/ˈd͡ʒɑʃ(j)u.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Joshua” in a sentence?
Here is “Joshua” used in a sentence: “The Book of Joshua describes the conquest of Canaan.”
What part of speech is “Joshua”?
Depending on how it is used, “Joshua” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Joshua” come from?
The word “Joshua” comes from Hebrew. From the Biblical Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation" — linguistically related to the name Jesus by way of Greek and Aramaic.
Is “Joshua” a common word?
“Joshua” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Joshua” have?
“Joshua” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a book of the Hebrew Bible, and its central figure, who led the Israelites after the death of Moses.
What is a Joshua tree?
A Joshua tree is a spiky, tree-like desert plant native to the American Southwest. It is a type of yucca, known for its branching form and clusters of stiff, spike-tipped leaves.
Where do Joshua trees grow?
Joshua trees grow in the deserts of the American Southwest, particularly the Mojave Desert. They are well adapted to hot, dry conditions.
Who was Joshua in the Bible?
In the Hebrew Bible, Joshua is the figure who led the Israelites after the death of Moses. A book of the Bible is named after him.
Are the names Joshua and Jesus related?
Yes. Both names ultimately derive from the same Hebrew name. Joshua is the form usually used in English for the biblical leader, while Jesus reaches English through Greek and Latin.
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