1
: an apostle, son of Zebedee, and brother of the apostle John according to the Gospel accounts
2
: an apostle and son of Alphaeus according to the Gospel accounts
called also James the Less
3
: a brother of Jesus traditionally held to be the author of the New Testament Epistle of James
4
: a moral lecture addressed to early Christians and included as a book in the New Testament see Bible Table
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *Jacomus, alteration of Late Latin Jacobus, Jacob Jacob
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of James was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing James
Dictionary Entries Near James
Cite this Entry
“James.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/James. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
Geographical Definition
Biographical Definition
James 1 of 7
biographical name (1)
name of 6 kings of Scotland and 2 kings of Great Britain: especially VI 1566–1625 of Scotland (reigned 1567–1603) or I of Great Britain (reigned 1603–25); II 1633–1701 (reigned 1685–88)
James
2 of 7biographical name (2)
Henry 1811–1882 American philosopher
James
3 of 7biographical name (3)
Henry 1843–1916 son of Henry James British (American-born) writer
James
4 of 7biographical name (4)
Jesse Woodson 1847–1882 American outlaw
James
5 of 7biographical name (5)
LeBron (Raymone) 1984– American basketball player
James
6 of 7biographical name (6)
P(hyllis) D(orothy) 1920–2014 Baroness James of Holland Park British writer
James
7 of 7biographical name (7)
William 1842–1910 brother of Henry James (writer) American psychologist and philosopher
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