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

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

County Medical Examiner’s Office accused of stealing a gold crucifix from the neck of a dead man pleaded no contest to theft charges on Friday, prosecutors said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 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 small crucifix is affixed to the wall above, and a rolling, pink-topped hospital table sits on the far side of the room.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025

There is a crucifix mounted on the wall, a flag of a cross draped over the lectern, and a few paintings of the Madonna and Child hanging in the back.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

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

But thanks in large part to a memorable head-swiveling cinematic character, Roman collars and crucifixes have long cornered a unique place in the American image of exorcism.

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2023

Though secretive about their ceremonies, the group’s leader, Jeremiah Martinez, opened the door to the morada revealing a simple altar with crucifixes and a few wooden pews.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 13, 2023

This week, she’s been at the church up to 12 hours a day, training volunteers to braid palm crucifixes they will sell at Mass, to help keep the lights on in the shrinking parish.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 31, 2023

All these angels start coming out of the boxes and everywhere, guys carrying crucifixes and stuff all over the place, and the whole bunch of them--thousands of them--singing "Come All Ye Faithful!" like mad.

From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger