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
elbowed; elbowing; elbows
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
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
Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Your elbows probably don’t get much love outside of being knocked around and lotioned.
—Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
However, on my last flight, I was elbowed repeatedly while attempting to sleep.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
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Noun
An elbow injury required Tommy John surgery, costing the Astros pitcher not only the remainder of the 2023 season, but all of of last season as well.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Your elbows probably don’t get much love outside of being knocked around and lotioned.
—Essence, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
May has been plagued by injuries throughout his six-year career, missing all of 2024 with both elbow surgery as well as a freak off-field accident that resulted in emergency surgery for a torn esophagus.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
However, on my last flight, I was elbowed repeatedly while attempting to sleep.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
Cite this Entry
“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
: 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
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