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

• carrefour
• corner
• crossing
• crossway(s)
• intersection
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the beginning of the Season 6 episode, Olivia (Samantha Logan) struggled to finish her book about Billy, her late father, as Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) found himself at a crossroads about his possible future in the NFL. —Emily Longeretta, Variety, 21 May 2024

Point Loma Nazarene University, at a crossroads, frets over its future April 14, 2024 The state retains authority over what curriculum can be used in public schools, state attorneys said in Woolard briefings, even in independent study charter schools where families are home-schooling. —Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2024

President Joe Biden is at a crossroads on America's military support for Israel in its war against Hamas, which could have profound and lasting effects on his presidency and the relationship with the Middle East country. —Susan Miller, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024

This puts the entertainment industry at a crossroads. —Neal Mohan, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2024

Amidst this economic turmoil and shifting employee priorities, the job market stands at a crossroads, teetering on the brink of another transformative moment. —Hannah Yardley, Fortune, 13 May 2024

An invitation to enroll in a professional referee-training program put her at a crossroads. —Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024

In a state where the housing shortage and ensuing affordability crisis is at the center of every issue facing cities today, the city of Santa Ana is at a crossroads. —Elizabeth Hansburg, Orange County Register, 9 May 2024

Georgia sits a crossroads between Europe and Asia – always geographically and now politically as well. —Robert Levine, Billboard, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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