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

The producer and consumer inflation numbers are both issued by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is already in Trump crosshairs. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025

Intel has come under the crosshairs of President Donald Trump. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2025

Three elk walked past the crosshairs, one after another, but there was no sign of antlers. —Fred C. Mercer, Outdoor Life, 14 Aug. 2025

Both are founding members of the BRICS Alliance, which includes Russia and Brazil—two countries that have recently been at the center of the Trump administration’s crosshairs. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 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