crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd How to pronounce crossroad (audio)
 also  -ˈrōd
1
: a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads
2
usually crossroads ˈkrȯs-ˌrōdz How to pronounce crossroad (audio)
 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

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad. We turned onto a crossroad.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two began managing Sanz in 2022 when the artist was at a crossroads. Leila Cobo, Billboard, 22 May 2025 Elie’s masterful survey is a group portrait of artists and their fellow travelers who participated during a bloody crossroads in American life, when Ronald Reagan’s ascension to the White House in 1980 collapsed the walls between church and state, sparking a counterrevolution across the arts. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Wallen is reaching the same crossroads his bro-country predecessors Florida Georgia Line faced a few albums in when, likely sick of complaints about dabbling in R&B, the duo made a folkier push. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 May 2025 When the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos were at a crossroads over his contract extension last season, Tampa GM Julien BriseBois tried to get creative with potential contract offers. James Mirtle, New York Times, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for crossroad

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crossroad was in 1686

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Cite this Entry

“Crossroad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossroad. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

crossroad

noun
cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd How to pronounce crossroad (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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