conjunction
noun
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What is a conjunction?
Conjunctions are words that join together other words or groups of words.
A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, and clauses of equal importance. The main coordinating conjunctions are and, or, and but.
They bought apples, pears, and oranges.
You can wait either on the steps or in the car.
The paintings are pleasant but bland.
When placed at the beginning of a sentence, a coordinating conjunction may also link two sentences or paragraphs.
The preparations were complete. But where were the guests?
She told him that he would have to work to earn her trust. And he proceeded to do just that.
A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause (a clause that does not form a simple sentence by itself) and joins it to a main clause (a clause that can be used as a simple sentence by itself).
She waited until they were seated.
It had been quiet since the children left.
Some conjunctions are used in pairs. The most common pairs are either ... or, both ... and, neither ... nor, and not only ... but (also).
They could either continue searching or go to the police.
Both Clara and Jeanette graduated from Stanford.
He could neither sing nor dance.
Not only the money but also the jewelry had been found.
Some adverbs, such as afterwards, consequently, for example, however, nonetheless, and therefore, act like conjunctions by linking either two main clauses separated by a semicolon, or two separate sentences. They express some effect that the first clause or sentence has on the second one.
They didn't agree; however, each understood the other's opinion.
We'll probably regret it; still, we really have no choice.
The team has won its last three games. Thus, its record for the year is now 15-12.
Examples of conjunction in a Sentence
John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024
The French filmmaker, working in perfect conjunction with star Kristen Stewart, who has never been better, crafts a film about loss, fear, and longing.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 June 2024
Some of that work was done in conjunction with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a Chinese-government laboratory that many Republicans believe may have started the pandemic.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 2 June 2024
The planetary alignment, or what astronomers call conjunction, according to NASA, will occur across the massive swath of sky in the Northern Hemisphere.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for conjunction 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conjunction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near conjunction
Cite this Entry
“Conjunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjunction. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
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conjunction
noun
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