crossbar

American  

[kraws-bahr, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌbɑr, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

1. a horizontal bar, line, or stripe.

2. the horizontal bar forming part of the goal posts, as in football and soccer.

3. a horizontal bar used for gymnastics.

4. a horizontal bar that rests on uprights and that an athlete must clear in performing the pole vault or high jump.

5. a horizontal line in some letters of the alphabet, as in capital H.

6. the horizontal top bar on the frame of a man's bicycle.

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crossbar British  

/ ˈkrɒsˌbɑː /

noun

1. a horizontal bar, line, stripe, etc

2. a horizontal beam across a pair of goalposts

3. a horizontal bar mounted on vertical posts used in athletics or show-jumping

4. the horizontal bar on a man's bicycle that joins the handlebar and saddle supports

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Etymology

Origin of crossbar

First recorded in 1550–60; cross- + bar ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crossbar

They had a Liam Scales header hopping off the top of the crossbar.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Ioanna Papatheodorou struck the crossbar in the first half, before teeing up Kallisti Brouksair for their goal later on.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

The first was a long-range shot by Álex Baena that hit the crossbar; on the rebound, Yamal fired the ball straight into the Austria goalkeeper’s body.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

Austria was looking to attack more and brought on Sasa Kalajdzic, who responded quickly with a header that sailed over the crossbar.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

The next morning, he went to a dry-goods store on Hester Street and bought a hundred yards of gingham and fifty yards of white crossbar.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

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