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

The New Frontier section which is the crossroads between tech creativity and independent filmmaking will return to 2027 as New Frontier FLUX to showcase new works which are pushing boundaries in a biodigital world. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 July 2026

The Buccaneers, by the way, are at something of a crossroads. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

The Fed often finds itself at a crossroads, balancing its dual mandate of maximum employment and stable prices. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 24 July 2026

In search of another, Lambert turned to the Houston Astros, a team that has transformed Ryan Pressly, Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton and countless other pitchers nearing a crossroads. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 July 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