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 of crossroad

• intersection
• corner
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Inventories in Cushing, Oklahoma, the pipeline crossroads of America, remain below operational stress levels. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Elrod’s favorite example of how Hero Trees help tell the Disneyland story can be found on either side of the Orangutan Fountain at the crossroads of Adventureland and Frontierland. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2026

What might seem like a remote patch of desert is actually prime solar real estate, sitting at a major energy crossroads. — Adam Burke, NPR, 6 July 2026

How ‘The Ultimatum’ works The Ultimatum follows couples at a crossroads in their relationships. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

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