crescent

American  

[kres-uhnt] / ˈkrɛs ənt /

noun

1. a shape resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.

2. something, as a roll or cookie, having this shape.

3. Astronomy.

   1. the figure of the moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.

   2. the similar figure of Mercury and Venus on either side of inferior conjunction, when seen through a telescope.

4. the emblem of Turkey or of Islam.

5. the power, religion, or civilization of Turkey or of Islam.

6. Also called Chinese crescent.  Also called Chinese pavilion.  Also called jingling Johnny, pavillon Chinois.  Also called Turkish crescent.  a musical percussion instrument of Turkish origin, consisting of a pole bearing a crescent-shaped metal plate, topped with a pavillon, and hung with small bells.

7. Chiefly British.

   1. a curved street, often having solid façades of unified architectural design.

   2. the curve or curved portion of a street.

8. Heraldry. a representation of a crescent moon, horns upward unless otherwise specified, used as the cadency mark of a second son.

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adjective

1. shaped like a crescent.

2. increasing; growing.

crescent British  

/ -zənt, ˈkrɛsənt, krəˈsɛntɪk /

noun

1. the biconcave shape of the moon in its first or last quarters

2. any shape or object resembling this

3. 1. a crescent-shaped street, often lined with houses of the same style

   2. ( capital when part of a name )

      Pelham Crescent

4. heraldry a crescent moon, used as the cadency mark of a second son

5. (often capital)

   1. the emblem of Islam or Turkey

   2. Islamic or Turkish power

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adjective

1. archaic increasing or growing

crescent Scientific  

/ krĕs′ənt /

1. Partly but less than half illuminated. Used to describe the Moon or a planet.

2. Compare gibbous

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Other Word Forms

• crescentic adjective
• subcrescentic adjective

Etymology

Origin of crescent

1350–1400; < Latin crēscent- (stem of crēscēns ) present participle of crēscere to grow ( create, -esce ); replacing Middle English cressaunt < Anglo-French < Latin as above

Explanation

A crescent is a thin, curved shape that’s thicker in the middle and tapers to thin points at each end, like the little sliver of moon you might notice in the sky. Crescent was first used to describe the shape of the waxing, or growing moon, and if you listen closely you can hear its similarity to increase. But a crescent can be any thin, curved shape. You might see a crescent of light hitting the pavement or a crescent of beach next to the ocean. Crescent can also act as an adjective describing something that has that shape, like a crescent moon or a crescent roll.

Example Sentences

Expect, perhaps, a crescent moon in pajamas to be a new favorite.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The crescent Earth — our oasis holding everything we cherish, now just a speck in the infinite blackness — seemed to kiss the jagged lunar surface.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Families and astronomers gathered at a site known locally as "top of the world" on Gaisby Lane, Shipley, to try to see a slither of the new crescent moon.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Think crescent dough wrapped around ribbons of honey ham and Swiss, each ball bathed in a poppy-seed-studded glaze of butter, Dijon, Worcestershire, and a hint of brown sugar, then baked until puffed, golden, and gleaming.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

The man tugged at the short bill of his cap so only the lower half of his face was visible, like a crescent moon, and he turned away.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee