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
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
Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 31 Jan. 2026
Think about pulling the dumbbell toward your belly button, with your elbows close to your sides.
—Will Stone, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Oviedo missed all of 2024 due to elbow surgery but returned to the Pirates rotation in early August and impressed over the season’s last two months.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elbow
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Switch sides, bringing your left elbow to your right knee, continuing to alternate in a cycling motion.
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 31 Jan. 2026
Think about pulling the dumbbell toward your belly button, with your elbows close to your sides.
—Will Stone, NPR, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
After elbow surgery in the fall, Hernandez is not expected to be ready to play until possibly after the All-Star break.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Oviedo missed all of 2024 due to elbow surgery but returned to the Pirates rotation in early August and impressed over the season’s last two months.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elbow
Cite this Entry
“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
