elbow

1 of 2

noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō How to pronounce elbow (audio)
1
a
: the joint of the human arm
b
: a corresponding joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate
2
: something (such as macaroni or an angular pipe fitting) resembling an elbow

elbow

2 of 2

verb

elbowed; elbowing; elbows

transitive verb

1
a
: to push with the elbow : jostle
b
: to shove aside by pushing with or as if with the elbow
people elbowed each other to get a better view
2
: to force (one's way) by pushing with or as if with the elbow
elbowing our way through the crowd

intransitive verb

1
: to advance by pushing with the elbow
2
: to make an angle : turn
Phrases
at one's elbow
: at one's side
out at elbows or out at the elbows
1
: shabbily dressed
2
: short of funds

Examples of elbow in a Sentence

Noun He wore a tattered coat with holes in the elbows. Verb The actor's bodyguards rudely elbowed everyone out of the way. Everyone was shoving and elbowing to get a good position.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Why did Helmut Lang opt for sleeves slashed at the elbow, eventually his signature? André Wheeler, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 At one point, Bardem has an elbow propped up on the banquette, his head resting against an open palm, the ivy mingling unnoticed in his hair. Hemal Jhaveri, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024 The evaluation found a complete UCL tear in his elbow. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2024 In recent days, Santiago has thrown some of the sharpest elbows in the race, sending mailers to voters filled with excerpts from a Los Angeles Times editorial saying De León should be voted out of of office. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The denim design falls right above the knees and features blouson bracelet sleeves that can easily be adjusted to hit above the wrist or at the elbow. Bridget Degnan, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024 Conley hit Gobert with a left-handed bounce pass who caught it just a couple of feet inside the left elbow and threw up a floater. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 The man currently balancing Sar Malam Sahib’s elbow was a former student of his from Logar, Adel Sahib, who had never finished high school (or passed any of Sar Malam Sahib’s history classes) but had managed to fight briefly for every mujahideen faction in Afghanistan. Jamil Jan Kochai, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 The French defender hit Schlotterbeck with an elbow during a corner, causing another penalty and being sent off for a second game in a row. Manuel Veth, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Verb
On a Venice side street, Bergamo elbowed through the throngs of mask-wearing Carnival-goers on his commute to his new home, 40 minutes north of here. Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 The Bruins found themselves short-handed midway through the first half when Mack elbowed Carlson in the throat, earning a flagrant-2 foul and an ejection. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2024 The commercials also managed to elbow their way into the conversation: Beyoncé used one to announce her next album. Billy Witz, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 Gunn responded by elbowing Klesmit in the left side of the face. Steve Megargee, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024 This is just one of the many small joys and pleasures of the Italian riviera — no waiting in lines, no elbowing other people, fewer selfie sticks, and a generally more low-key vibe. Hannah Seligson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024 Repels moshing, jostling, pushing, elbowing, and sweaty, long-haired dancers with no concept of personal space. Jennie Egerdie, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024 Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, allegedly elbowed fellow GOP Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee in the kidneys, and Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, challenged a hearing witness to a fight. Editors, The Atlantic, 18 Nov. 2023 Someone elbowed me in the head by accident; Usher pulled me steadily along. Danielle Amir Jackson Malike Sidibe, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elbow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English elbowe, from Old English elboga, from el- (akin to eln ell) + Old English boga bow — more at ell, bow

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of elbow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near elbow

Cite this Entry

“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elbow

1 of 2 noun
el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō How to pronounce elbow (audio)
1
a
: the joint of the arm
also : the outer curve of a bent arm
b
: a corresponding joint in the front limb of an animal
2
: a part (as of a pipe) bent like an elbow

elbow

2 of 2 verb
1
: to push or shove with the elbow : jostle
2
: to advance by or as if by pushing with the elbow
elbowed his way to the front

Medical Definition

elbow

noun
el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō How to pronounce elbow (audio)
1
: the joint between the human forearm and the upper arm that supports the outer curve of the arm when bent

called also elbow joint

2
: a joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate corresponding to the elbow

More from Merriam-Webster on elbow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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