crossword

noun cross·word \ ˈkrȯs-ˌwərd \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Definition of crossword

: a puzzle in which words are filled into a pattern of numbered squares in answer to correspondingly numbered clues and in such a way that the words read across and down

Recent Examples of crossword from the Web

Some are doing crossword puzzles or reading catalogs.

— simon montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, "For three families, Tulsa experiment offers chance to grasp American dream," 3 July 2018
Carl enjoyed, travel with Caroline, poker with friends, trips to the casino, and crossword puzzles.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Carl Maurice Stevens," 17 June 2018
One shot features Bey in nothing but a yellow thong—in the middle of doing a newspaper crossword puzzle, mind you—while her rapper puffs away at a cigar beside her.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Beyoncé and JAY-Z Share Intimate Photos in Bed For Their On the Run Tour Book," 11 June 2018
Her other passions included dancing, sewing and mastering crossword puzzles.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Evelyn Weidl," 1 June 2018
Evans and his son Derek, the inn’s managing partner, spent two days in a mostly empty room, fiddling with their phones, doing crossword puzzles, and talking about contacting staffing agencies as a last resort.

— katie johnston, BostonGlobe.com, "Cape employers look to Puerto Rico for seasonal staff," 24 May 2018
Choose from dozens of puzzles and games, including crossword puzzles, sudoku and more.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Puzzles and Games," 15 May 2018
Sitting outside the House chambers recently doing a crossword puzzle, Frank sounded rather pleased that whatever happens this year, the Dodd-Frank act will live on.

— kevin freking, BostonGlobe.com, "Coauthor of Dodd-Frank says bill’s foundation will survive," 3 May 2018
Chief Executive Mark Thompson said the Times also wants to pursue growth through expanding lower-cost subscription products, such as those focused on food recipes or crossword puzzles.

— austen hufford, WSJ, "New York Times Reports Growth Despite Digital Ad Downshift," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crossword.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.