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

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

University Height’s new luxury apartment complex, The Nash, is at the crossroads of three popular neighborhoods and is the first attempt at a San Diego project from a Chicago developer. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024

So who now? Lakers How LeBron James, Darvin Ham and the Lakers reached a critical offseason crossroads April 30, 2024 Tyronn Lue is the obvious choice. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024

In essence, the corporate culture is at a critical crossroads, deeply influenced by the widespread transition to remote work. —Stephen Nalley, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2024

Wheeler argues that the innovations of the digital age have brought modern capitalism to a similar crossroads. —Tom Wheeler, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

Often bypassed by international visitors for other European cities, Antwerp offers an embarrassment of riches in a compact city at the crossroads of Europe. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2024

Originally located at the crossroads of Stevens Creek and De Anza Boulevard, the Baer Blacksmith Shop was moved to McClellan, preserving a historical piece of early Cupertino. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 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