crossbow

noun

cross·​bow ˈkrȯs-ˌbō 

: 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

Examples of crossbow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of them survived, and officials said at least one of the alligators was shot with a crossbow bolt. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026

At least one of the alligators was shot with a crossbow bolt, indicating intentional targeting, and the carcasses of the two alligators that died were abandoned and left to waste, TPWD said. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

The incident occurred during the crossbow sharp-shooting act in the Circus Murcia tent, News 12 Westchester reported. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

On cue, a Frey leaps out and stabs Robb’s pregnant wife Talisa (Oona Chaplin) in the stomach, and a volley of crossbow arrows lay into Robb and his friends. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crossbow

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

crossbow

noun

cross·​bow -ˌbō 

: a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a wooden stock that shoots short arrows