I. ˈjəŋk noun
Etymology: Middle English jonke
Date: 14th century
1. : pieces of old cable or cordage used especially to make gaskets, mats, swabs, or oakum
2.
a.
(1) : old iron, glass, paper, or other waste that may be used again in some form
(2) : secondhand, worn, or discarded articles
(3) : clutter 1b
b. : something of poor quality : trash
c. : something of little meaning, worth, or significance
3. slang : narcotics ; especially : heroin
4. : junk bond
5. : baseball pitches that break or are off-speed (as curveballs or changeups)
• junky ˈjəŋ-kē adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 1916
: to get rid of as worthless : scrap
Synonyms: see discard
III. noun
Etymology: Portuguese junco, from Javanese joṅ
Date: 1609
: any of various ships of Chinese waters with bluff lines, a high poop and overhanging stem, little or no keel, high pole masts, and a deep rudder