crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

 also  -ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads

2

usually crossroads ˈkrȯs-ˌrōdz 

 also  -ˈrōdz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a

: the place of intersection of two or more roads

b(1)

: a small community located at such a crossroads

(2)

: a central meeting place

c

: a crucial point especially where a decision must be made

Synonyms

• carrefour
• corner
• crossing
• crossway(s)
• intersection
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preacher Boy seems to be loosely based on the legend of real-life blues musician Robert Johnson whose guitar was said to have been tuned by the devil at a crossroads, granting him musical prowess. —Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 18 Apr. 2025

Miami Herald 305-376-3446 Jay Weaver writes about federal crime at the crossroads of South Florida and Latin America. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Now, with mounting political momentum to restrict or reduce federal education funding, states find themselves at a familiar crossroads—this time, without a guide rail. —Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

The film captures this pivotal crossroads through revealing interviews and evocative 1990’s archival to craft a rare story of artistic integrity in the spotlight. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crossroad

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• decode

Kids Definition

crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

-ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs across country between main roads

2

a

: a place where roads cross

—usually used in plural

b

: a small community at a crossroads

3

: a place or time at which a decision must be made