crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

also -ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads

2

usually crossroads ˈkrȯs-ˌrōdz 

also -ˈrōdz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a

: the place of intersection of two or more roads

b(1)

: a small community located at such a crossroads

(2)

: a central meeting place

c

: a crucial point especially where a decision must be made

Synonyms of crossroad

• intersection
• corner
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

May 21 – June 20 This morning brings a home-and-friends crossroads. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

America's grid is at a critical crossroads, and the stakes are high for government officials and utility regulators to choose the right path forward. — Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

The announcement on the PGA Tour’s new format comes at a time where the competitive dynamic in professional golf is at a crossroads. — Dominic Chu, CNBC, 23 June 2026

Dallas city leaders were at a crossroads over the redesign and current construction plans of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crossroad

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• decode

Kids Definition

crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

-ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs across country between main roads

2

a

: a place where roads cross

—usually used in plural

b

: a small community at a crossroads

3

: a place or time at which a decision must be made