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

… in the crosshairs this political season

—J. H. Alter

Examples of crosshair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t look now, but the Chiefs have won five of their last six games and have the Buffalo Bills in their crosshairs in Week 9. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025

Tom is looking for a way to save Eidra without putting himself in Trowbridge’s crosshairs, but his options and motivation are limited. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025

The optimal strike zones, marked as bright crosshairs in the model, show where a spacecraft could nudge an asteroid's orbit away from Earth without triggering a dangerous return later on. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2025

The head came up broadside, facing to Bill’s left, and Bill sought the bear’s ear with the crosshairs. —Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025

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