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

Example Sentences

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Anthony Fauci said last week on the Conversations on Health Care radio show that the U.S. was coming to a difficult COVID crossroad as the cold winter months approach and immune-evasive variants of Omicron emerge. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2022

Tanf border crossing with Iraq, at the crossroad of a main highway between Baghdad and Damascus — one of the main supply routes by land for Iran to smuggle arms into Syria and to its Hezbollah allies. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022

Like the 1985 Sox, La Russa and his team are at a crossroad after 4 ½ months of underachieving. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2022

Hong Kong’s future is at a trepidatious crossroad and Beijing knows it. Karson Yiu, ABC News, 30 June 2022

Having come to a crossroad in her own career journey, Ruettimann had a few recommendations for those feeling stuck in their current job. Kwame Christian, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2022

But here at an international crossroad, changes are often driven by forces far away. Sandra Dibble, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2022

Little Miami Scenic Trail named one of best U.S. urban trails From the south, Old 3-C will be the last crossroad to exit the trail before the closure. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 25 Apr. 2022

This is one of those crossroad moments for an Alabama program in Year 3 under Nate Oats. Michael Casagrande | [e-mail], al, 13 Mar. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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