SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

crosshead

noun cross·head \ ˈkrȯs-ˌhed \

Definition of crosshead

1 : a metal block to which one end of a piston rod is secured

2 : a heading centered usually between portions of text

First Known Use of crosshead

1827

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about crosshead

See words that rhyme with crosshead

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up crosshead? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

riposte

play

a quick and clever reply

Words at Play

Noun + Verb Insult Generator

A collection of obscure put-downs

alt-5b0834b915e3f

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

A judgment call

alt-5b06e60511014

'Deprived' vs. 'Depraved'

Nobody wants to be either.

alt-5b05d8545c817

'Folksonomy': Let’s Get Organized

Tag the way you want to tag.

Ask the Editors

video-ghost-words

Ghost Word

The story of an imaginary word that managed to sneak past our editors and enter the dictionary.

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

We’re already at the end of May?!

Take the quiz

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

How familiar are you with Nabokov’s unfamiliar vocabulary?

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game