crossbow

noun

cross·​bow ˈkrȯs-ˌbō How to pronounce crossbow (audio)
: a weapon for shooting quarrels and stones that consists chiefly of a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a stock

Illustration of crossbow

Illustration of crossbow

Examples of crossbow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Joss’ shooter, in a June 2024 police report, claimed Joss had driven past his house waving a crossbow and hurling racial slurs. Ethan Bauer, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2025 An intro video followed, featuring footage of the actor rehearsing with crossbow in hand. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 July 2025 But the man escaped and ran toward the mall with a crossbow, so officers fired at him, killing him, police said. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025 To get samples from live dolphins, Orbach is trained and permitted to use a crossbow that shoots special darts at the dolphins that are designed to bounce back into the water, capturing a piece of tissue less than 1 centimeter in diameter. Olivia Garrett, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for crossbow

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crossbow was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crossbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbow. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

crossbow

noun
cross·​bow -ˌbō How to pronounce crossbow (audio)
: a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a wooden stock that shoots short arrows

More from Merriam-Webster on crossbow

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