crucifix

American  

[kroo-suh-fiks] / ˈkru sə fɪks /

noun

• crucifixes
  plural

1. a cross with the figure of Jesus crucified upon it.

2. any cross.

3. Gymnastics. a stunt performed on the parallel rings in which the athlete holds their body rigid with their legs vertically extended together and their arms extended horizontally from the shoulders.

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crucifix British  

/ ˈkruːsɪfɪks /

noun

1. a cross or image of a cross with a figure of Christ upon it

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• crucificial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crucifixes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of crucifix

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Late Latin crucifīxus “the crucified one” (i.e., Christ), noun use of masculine of past participle of Latin crucifīgere “to crucify; ” see fix

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crucifix crucifixes

Instead, the wows come from good stagings of ordinary action: a car crash, a gripped crucifix, a hideout crowded with jostling, thrumming musical instruments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

Locals say the statue was on a crucifix outside a family home on the edge of Debel, one of the few villages where residents have remained during Israel's war with Hezbollah.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026

The crucifix and Elgin watch conjured Sunday mornings and the quiet pride of women who never stepped outside without dignity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 5, 2025

A relative placed a crucifix on the chest of Alanis García.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2025

She rarely goes to mass, but she’s got the required crucifix over the kitchen doorway, the rosary in the dresser drawer, and the stack of dead relatives’ funeral cards, held together with a rubber band.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Both hospice and inspiration, it’s a stifling place decorated with floral wallpaper and crucifixes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2026

Originally, the boats were being transformed into crucifixes and nativity scenes, but the inmates who were already trained luthiers thought: why not instruments?

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2024

In a video that Dr. Tedros posted to social media, a member of the medical mission stands inside the chapel, with injured people and crucifixes on the wall visible behind him.

From New York Times ● Dec. 21, 2023

Vendors took the chance to sell colourful crucifixes as well parasols to the pilgrims.

From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2023

She stripped off her many thrift-store rings and is wearing the charm necklace from her dad instead of the usual chunky array of crucifixes and silver skulls.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline