crutch

noun

\ ˈkrəch

Definition of crutch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a support typically fitting under the armpit for use by the disabled in walking

b : a source or means of support or assistance that is relied on heavily or excessively They refuse to take any pills. They don't want to use drugs as a crutch.— Maya Pines Even many atheists would agree that believing that God cares about you or that your life is part of a cosmic plan can be a powerful source of hope (or, to put it pejoratively, a crutch).— Virginia Postrel

2 : a forked leg rest constituting the pommel of a sidesaddle

3 : the crotch of a human being or an animal

4 : a forked support

crutch

verb

crutched; crutching; crutches

Definition of crutch (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to support on crutches : prop up

Examples of crutch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Outside linebacker Matthew Tago didn’t wear a boot, but got around on one crutch. — oregonlive, "Oregon State takes a satisfying 45-7 win over Cal Poly into an off week, but injuries are mounting," 15 Sep. 2019 Patricia, who's recovering from surgery on his left Achilles tendon, spent the first half of Sunday's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals coaching on crutches from the Lions sideline. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions' Matt Patricia ditches Gatorade stand, coaches on crutches in opener," 8 Sep. 2019 Smith turned up at camp sporting crutches, trying in any way to help out and earn his $15 million contract for this season. — Carl Steward, The Mercury News, "13 questions the 2019 NFL season will answer, from the Browns to Mahomes," 4 Sep. 2019 Jennings, 55, had been ordered to clear out a storage shed because of the approaching storm and his contents, from crutches to a barbecue grill, were in a disorganized pile in the back of his pickup. — Kevin Spear, orlandosentinel.com, "Hurricane Dorian wrecks Labor Day break at Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral," 1 Sep. 2019 Something that went all-in on the electric benefits while casting away the internal-combustion crutches. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "I Got 75 Miles Per Gallon...in a Range Rover?," 11 Aug. 2019 All told, six managed some form of walking across the ground with assistance such as harnesses, crutches or parallel bars. — Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, "How a Revolutionary Technique Got People with Spinal-Cord Injuries Back on Their Feet," 7 Aug. 2019 Patricia coached the game on crutches because of his summer Achilles surgery, and as such was backed off the sideline and not in direct communication with officials. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Inside the Detroit Lions: Explaining what happened on play after timeout," 10 Sep. 2019 There was Nick Robinson on crutches, looking like the brother of the boy who died in my book. — People Staff, PEOPLE.com, "John Searles Wrote Strange But True — and Then Starred in the Film Adaptation with Greg Kinnear," 6 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Thorson, now a grad student holding an undergraduate degree in communication studies, remains the relentlessly positive team-first guy who insisted on crutching to the NU sideline to watch the second half of the Music City Bowl. — Teddy Greenstein, chicagotribune.com, "First words: Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson talks ACL prognosis, marriage and why he ‘can’t skip steps’," 2 July 2018 Scalise still needs either crutches or a cane to get around after having nine surgeries to repair his pelvis, hip and left femur left shattered by bullets, CNN reported. — Natalie Dreier, ajc, "Rep. Steve Scalise to return to field one year after Congressional Baseball shooting," 14 June 2018 When Purdue played Nebraska about a month later, Tyler Trent crutched out to midfield for the coin toss. — Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Purdue freshman can't make tourney, but cancer is just an inconvenience," 15 Mar. 2018 He was recorded crutching down a hallway at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday. — Jacob Klinger, cleveland.com, "Steelers short 3 offensive, 2 defensive starters," 18 Oct. 2017

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