elbow

noun

el·bow | \ ˈel-ˌbō

Definition of elbow

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

at one's elbow

: at one's side

out at elbows or out at the elbows

1 : shabbily dressed

2 : short of funds

elbow

verb

elbowed; elbowing; elbows

Definition of elbow (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about elbow

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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

Rub elbows with soon-to-be household names and fellow in-the-know readers. — Agatha French, latimes.com, "Looking for literary fun? These 5 L.A. book events include magic and a little library on wheels," 5 July 2019 Most of his current players have rubbed elbows with the major league eight, who return to the Poway campus to visit with the coaching staff and to work out at the baseball complex. — Pomerado News, "Bob Parry respected for teaching ‘the Poway way’," 3 July 2019 The city’s prominent hip-hop scene enabled Braun to rub elbows with rappers and R&B musicians in the early aughts. — Bethonie Butler, chicagotribune.com, "How Scooter Braun, the mogul embroiled in the Taylor Swift drama, became so powerful," 3 July 2019 The city’s prominent hip-hop scene enabled Braun to rub elbows with rappers and R&B musicians in the early aughts. — Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, "How Scooter Braun, the mogul embroiled in the Taylor Swift drama, became so powerful," 2 July 2019 These pools provide a pleasantly authentic Icelandic experience, and an opportunity to rub elbows with locals. — Rick Steves, USA TODAY, "Geothermal baths and beyond: Rick Steves' guide to Iceland's steamiest sites," 25 June 2019 Gunna, the Young Thug affiliate who rubbed elbows with Virgil Abloh at the menswear shows in Paris a few weeks back, put in a valiant showing at the Louis Vuitton show, but Migos might still take the cake. — Rachel Hahn, Vogue, "Who Drips Harder, Gucci Mane or Quavo?," 1 Feb. 2019 McHugh, who went on the injured list with right elbow discomfort on May 18, will pitch again for Corpus Christi on Saturday. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros' Collin McHugh nearing end of rehab assignment as Joe Smith continues his," 22 June 2019 Georgantas skipped a double vanity in there in favor of a wide trough sink that allows for more elbow room. — Jennifer Blaise Kramer, House Beautiful, "This Incredible Nantucket Home Is Filled With History," 23 May 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The up-close, floor-level performance space at the playhouse is ideal for tambourine chorus lines, cakewalks and elbow-to-the-ribs clown antics. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Review: 'The Scottsboro Boys’ a searing, spirited, well-told tale of racial injustice at Playhouse on Park," 1 July 2019 The scene appeared to be chaotic at times, with video footage showing journalists and camera people scurrying around the two leaders, jockeying with security officials and elbowing one another to position themselves to record the encounter. — Yonette Joseph, BostonGlobe.com, "4 takeaways from the Trump-Kim meeting at the DMZ," 30 June 2019 Serious riders wear serious protective gear — hard-shell kneepads, elbow pads, wrist braces and a helmet. — Carolyn Said, SFChronicle.com, "‘Life-changing’: Why some San Franciscans are crazy about electric unicycles," 23 June 2019 The company began selling equipment to drug stores, long before the days of McDonald’s, before restaurant chains elbowed each other for valuable space along nearly every city street. — William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al.com, "Dixie Store Fixtures winding down business, just shy of a century," 12 June 2019 With shoulders down and back, core engaged, and elbows pointing forward, bend elbows and allow the dumbbell to lower down behind head. — Rozalynn S. Frazier, Health.com, "This 30-Day Arms Challenge Will Transform Your Upper Body In Just 4 Weeks," 10 June 2019 Jaime Barria, at Mariners (FD: $6,800, DK: $9,200) Barria will be recalled from Triple-A to start Tuesday with Shohei Ohtani (elbow) on the DL. — Mike Barner, SI.com, "MLB DFS Plays for June 12," 12 June 2018 The convergence of film and TV isn’t just a boon to filmmakers who’ve been elbowed out of the multiplex by the blockbuster-industrial complex. — Judy Berman, Time, "With Meryl Streep on Big Little Lies, It's Time to Admit That Film and TV Are Converging," 6 June 2019 Behind the vote-by-phone push is a political operative who grew rich helping Uber elbow its way onto city streets and Bird populate the sidewalks with electric scooters, and who sees mobile voting as a potential cure for an ailing democracy. — Evan Halper, courant.com, "Vote-by-phone tech trend alarms security experts," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elbow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.