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

House Bill 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, stands at a potential crossroads as the state legislature enters its final week in session. —David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

The crossroads of style and comfort come together with an open-toed mules, all thanks to their chunkier heels and thicker sole padding. —Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 25 May 2026

With late-night at a crossroads, Ben Gleib is forging a new path. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 May 2026

The franchise is approaching a crossroads that could call for more drastic action. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 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