elbow

1 of 2

noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō 

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

see also:

at one's elbow out at elbows

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

Synonyms of elbow

Verb

• push
• squeeze
• shoulder

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

There are multiple clues that the video was not authentic, including two cars on the left side of the clip that appear stuck together and a man in the bottom-right corner whose elbow seems to move straight through a backpack. —ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026

Lakers forward LeBron James is expected to be available for Sunday’s marquee game after injuring his elbow late in the loss to the Nuggets and missing Friday’s game. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026

Verb

Right-hander Nick Sandlin threw to hitters for the first time this spring Saturday, a key step in his road back from offseason arthroscopic elbow surgery. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 7 Mar. 2026

Bradford felt elbow pain in the middle of spring training last year, initially trying to rehab what was diagnosed as an elbow strain. —Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing elbow

• at one's elbow
• at someone's elbow
• elbow bump
• elbow grease
• elbow room
• give (someone) the elbow
• more power to someone's elbow
• tennis elbow

Rhymes for elbow

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

elbow

1 of 2 noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō 

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 

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