crosshair

noun

cross·hair | \ ˈkrȯs-ˌher

Definition of crosshair

: 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

Next in the government’s crosshairs could be Comcast-NBC. — Elizabeth Winkler, WSJ, "At AT&T Trial, Government Sends a Message About Future Deals," 4 Apr. 2018 Cut two cross members to length and install them in a crosshair formation, with shelf attachments added after. — Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Build a Stylish Octagonal Firewood Rack," 22 Sep. 2016 But what about the potential crimes that put Mr. Flynn in Mr. Mueller’s crosshairs to begin with? — Kimberley A. Strassel, WSJ, "Mueller’s Gift to Obama," 6 Dec. 2018 Not even half an hour later, the president then tweeted praise of Roger Stone, his longtime adviser who’s been in Mueller’s crosshairs in recent months. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "Trump attacks Michael Cohen and praises Roger Stone in anti-Mueller tweets," 3 Dec. 2018 In the reorganization’s crosshairs was the Puerto Rican Institute of Statistics (PRIS), an independent government agency in San Juan. — Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, "After outcry, Puerto Rico’s legislature spares statistical agency," 3 July 2018 This problem surely predates any of the Silicon Valley companies currently in Washington’s crosshairs. — Joe Lieberman, Time, "Social Media Is Distorting What Politicians Believe Is Real," 16 May 2018 But while Glazier became the go-to defense attorney for schools in the NCAA’s crosshairs, Slive decided to move into management. — Andy Staples, SI.com, "Mike Slive’s SEC Accomplishments Were Only Part of a Life Filled With Victories," 16 May 2018 The rule, named for former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker, has been in Wall Street’s crosshairs for years. — Jesse Hamilton, Philly.com, "Volcker Rule rewrite is said to drop key trading burden on banks," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crosshair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

27 Feb 2019

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The first known use of crosshair was circa 1884

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More Definitions for crosshair

crosshair

noun

English Language Learners Definition of crosshair

: a very thin wire or thread that is seen when you look into a microscope, telescope, etc., and that is used for precisely viewing or aiming at something

See the full definition for crosshair in the English Language Learners Dictionary