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

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

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

Ohtani also made an impact on the mound for LA, making his return to pitching in June after an almost two-year layoff, following two procedures, including one to repair the right ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and his left shoulder last offseason. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

President and founder of the Housewives Institute Brian Moylan will be embedded and elbow-deep in all the drama. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

Verb

After being elbowed by Pacers guard Ben Sheppard, Brooks leapt into the air and forced up an awkward bank shot that found the bottom of the net. —Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

Be elbow to elbow with Londoners on Sundays as the street comes alive with vendors putting their colorful blooms on display. —Susanne Fowler, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

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 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