crutch

noun \ ˈkrəch \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of crutch

1 a :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

See crutch defined for English-language learners

See crutch defined for kids

Recent Examples of crutch from the Web

Barely out of rehabilitation in January and still on crutches, Palagi returned to work at the Easterseals Academy in Chicago, where she was placed on desk duty in the school office.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Naperville woman who became amputee a year ago prepping for Chicago Triathlon," 18 Aug. 2017
The youngest of the girls are sisters Linda (Lulu Wilson) and Janice (Talitha Bateman), the latter of whom walks with a leg brace and crutch as the result of polio.

— michael o'sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "'Annabelle: Creation' review: Simple premise makes for very spooky prequel," 11 Aug. 2017
In practice, a player can use the time in between plays as a crutch.

— zach berman, Philly.com, "Eagles 'very encouraged' by rookie Nate Gerry's transition to linebacker," 8 Aug. 2017
After 16 weeks of rehabilitation, Emily was walking (first with a walker, then with crutches) and talking again.

— andy kopsa, Cosmopolitan, "What It's Like to Raise a Child With a Terminal Illness in America," 1 Aug. 2017
In response, Trump leant on his favorite crutch: Twitter.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "U.S. Allies Stunned by Second, Undisclosed Trump-Putin Meeting," 19 July 2017
In the NAACP video, Tatyana is using crutches and has wound marks on on her face.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "California Police Beat a Black Teen After Mistaking Her for a Male Suspect," 12 July 2017
Said, who was on crutches after losing his right leg to a grenade explosion in 1993, was shot in his good leg while fighting off the men.

— julie watson, The Christian Science Monitor, "Last refugees arriving in US before enforcement of new travel ban," 7 July 2017
Arora, who injured her leg during the fitness segment of Friday night's preliminaries, appeared onstage on crutches.

— michelle matthews, AL.com, "Skye Bork of District of Columbia named Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2017," 1 July 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.