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
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Epic Games, buoyed by the massive success of Fortnite, has spent the last few years throwing elbows in the mobile industry to get its app store on more phones.
—ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
Brady Williams, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Termites have a thicker body and antennae that are not elbowed.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
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Noun
Most importantly, after dealing with elbow discomfort in September of last season, Rodríguez has been healthy and available.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Epic Games, buoyed by the massive success of Fortnite, has spent the last few years throwing elbows in the mobile industry to get its app store on more phones.
—ArsTechnica, 7 July 2025
Verb
The streets were elbow to elbow, and workers said that by the end of the night, nearly every food truck had sold out.
—Brady Williams, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Termites have a thicker body and antennae that are not elbowed.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 30 June 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 18 Jul. 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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