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

By day’s end, the Ravens backed out of the deal because of concerns about Crosby’s knee, leaving the organization in the crosshairs for scrutiny. —Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 12 May 2026

Netflix is in the crosshairs of Ken Paxton, the Republican attorney general of Texas, who filed a lawsuit against the streaming giant, alleging violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 May 2026

In Thursday’s season finale, Eddie is caught in the crosshairs of Anatoly Caster (Alan Starzinski), the scion of a corrupt businessman who was the target of a police raid, led by protagonist Athena Grant (Angela Bassett), for facilitating a human trafficking ring involving migrants in Los Angeles. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

The insurance crisis has put the position in the political crosshairs and outgoing Commissioner Ricardo Lara expressed that at a hearing earlier this year. —John Ramos, CBS News, 4 May 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