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
Synonyms
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
BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Some have family here: Vic Lee, 33, of the nonprofit organization Welcome to Chinatown, has a tattoo on her elbow of a rice bowl with the number 135, a homage to her grandmother’s longtime address, 135 Eldridge Street.
—Ligaya Mishan David Chow, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Instead of ski jackets and bobble hats, the people waiting are dressed like 21st-century gladiators—with knees, chests, and elbows covered in plastic body armor.
—WIRED, 18 Sep. 2023
One of the few negatives of the first half was an elbow injury to Cowboys guard Chuma Edoga.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2023
If all goes well, they could be added to the staff in their return from right elbow injuries.
—Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2023
Astros: Ryne Stanek: 15-Day IL (ankle), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023
Around the horn Three weeks after suffering a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, Orioles closer Félix Bautista played catch for a fifth time, throwing from about 120 feet.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 15 Sep. 2023
Three weeks earlier, the pair were posted up at a Highland Park backyard sesh organized by the Swami Select cannabis brand, with the artist delicately daubing marijuana-leaf designs in henna on the back of Haq’s hands and up to her elbows.
—Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Julie Lasky, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Brooks received an unsportsmanlike foul after elbowing Zoran Dragic in the head in the first quarter.
—oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2023
Its very success has led it to transform itself from a novel effort to achieve a scientific goal to something that resembles a standard Silicon Valley unicorn on its way to elbowing into the pantheon of Big Tech companies that affect our everyday lives.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023
Despite his struggles, Blach remained with the Orioles into 2020, suffering an elbow injury in the summer camp ramp-up out of the coronavirus shutdown that necessitated Tommy John elbow reconstruction and getting released soon after.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2023
Without Wander Franco, their star shortstop on the restricted list, and Shane McClanahan, their ace who recently had Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, Tampa seems more likely to slump just enough for Baltimore to retain its lead in the division.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
Bend elbows out wide to the sides bringing head to touch the floor.
—Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
But if your seatmates are getting sprayed by your mists and serums, or elbowed during blush application, that's really inconsiderate.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2023
How to: Start standing with knees slightly bent and body hinged forward at 45 degrees holding and a dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent, close to rib cage, and back behind body.
—Michelle Marques, Women's Health, 7 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Aug. 23, ending his pitching season.
—BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
Some have family here: Vic Lee, 33, of the nonprofit organization Welcome to Chinatown, has a tattoo on her elbow of a rice bowl with the number 135, a homage to her grandmother’s longtime address, 135 Eldridge Street.
—Ligaya Mishan David Chow, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023
Instead of ski jackets and bobble hats, the people waiting are dressed like 21st-century gladiators—with knees, chests, and elbows covered in plastic body armor.
—WIRED, 18 Sep. 2023
One of the few negatives of the first half was an elbow injury to Cowboys guard Chuma Edoga.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 17 Sep. 2023
If all goes well, they could be added to the staff in their return from right elbow injuries.
—Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2023
Astros: Ryne Stanek: 15-Day IL (ankle), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023
Around the horn Three weeks after suffering a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, Orioles closer Félix Bautista played catch for a fifth time, throwing from about 120 feet.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 15 Sep. 2023
Three weeks earlier, the pair were posted up at a Highland Park backyard sesh organized by the Swami Select cannabis brand, with the artist delicately daubing marijuana-leaf designs in henna on the back of Haq’s hands and up to her elbows.
—Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023
Verb
But Conger, who had no curatorial training, elbowed out art dealers and museums in his acquisition of rare objects.
—Julie Lasky, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Brooks received an unsportsmanlike foul after elbowing Zoran Dragic in the head in the first quarter.
—oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2023
Its very success has led it to transform itself from a novel effort to achieve a scientific goal to something that resembles a standard Silicon Valley unicorn on its way to elbowing into the pantheon of Big Tech companies that affect our everyday lives.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023
Despite his struggles, Blach remained with the Orioles into 2020, suffering an elbow injury in the summer camp ramp-up out of the coronavirus shutdown that necessitated Tommy John elbow reconstruction and getting released soon after.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2023
Without Wander Franco, their star shortstop on the restricted list, and Shane McClanahan, their ace who recently had Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, Tampa seems more likely to slump just enough for Baltimore to retain its lead in the division.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
Bend elbows out wide to the sides bringing head to touch the floor.
—Women's Health, 18 Aug. 2023
But if your seatmates are getting sprayed by your mists and serums, or elbowed during blush application, that's really inconsiderate.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2023
How to: Start standing with knees slightly bent and body hinged forward at 45 degrees holding and a dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent, close to rib cage, and back behind body.
—Michelle Marques, Women's Health, 7 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elbow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of elbow was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing elbow
Dictionary Entries Near elbow
Cite this Entry
“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
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 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
More from Merriam-Webster on elbow
Nglish: Translation of elbow for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of elbow for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elbow
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