crosshair

noun

cross·​hair ˈkrȯs-ˌher 

: a fine wire or thread in the focus of the eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a reference line in the field or for marking the instrumental axis

—used figuratively to describe someone or something being targeted as if through an aiming device having crosshairs

The tactics landed the company's top brass in the crosshairs of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

—Houston Chronicle

Examples of crosshair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Frustration and impatience in the pursuit of flawless execution put everyone in his crosshairs. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026

And then just finally, Secretary Hegseth has had you in his crosshairs. —NBC news, 1 Mar. 2026

Positioned within the circular crosshairs of a rifle scope, the text is at once the target of and the justification for violence. —Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

Loot boxes in the crosshairs James alleges Valve entices players to pay for a chance to win a rare virtual item, and that those rare items can be traded for real money in accordance with their rarity. —Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crosshair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

cross hair

noun

: one of the very thin wires or threads in the eyepiece of an optical instrument (as a microscope) used as a reference line