crescent

American  

[kres-uhnt] / ˈkrɛs ənt /

noun

crescents plural

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

Derived Forms

• crescentic
  adjective
• subcrescentic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crescents
  plural

Etymology

Origin of crescent

1350–1400; < Latin crēscent- (stem of crēscēns ) present participle of crēscere to grow ( see 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

See Examples For:

crescent crescents

Because the spacecraft approached Mars at a high-phase angle, the planet first appeared as a narrow, bright crescent.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

In the lagoon formed by the crescent dozens of ships can be seen.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

Because the spacecraft is approaching from the night side of the planet, Mars will first appear as a thin crescent illuminated by only a narrow strip of sunlight.

From Science Daily ● May 11, 2026

A tattoo artist designed and hand-painted the store’s logo — a crescent moon and stars hugging antique font letters.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026

I lie there until the first crescent of sunlight appears on the floor of my bedroom, like a seashell washed in on the tide.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

"We don't really understand the crescents yet," said Dr Mikako Matsuura, who has led the latest analysis.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2023

Small imprints of crosses and crescents line the top of its bricks, a nod by its Muslim architect to the closeness of Islam and Christianity.

From New York Times ● Dec. 24, 2022

The artist’s views move from “Full Pink Moon” — the only picture mounted on a lightbox for maximum luminosity — to such barely-there crescents as “Razor’s Edge” and “Tangerine Slice.”

From Washington Post ● Jan. 12, 2022

They’d have no idea what those crescents, triangles and wedges are even supposed to be, much less consider climbing it.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 5, 2021

They have identical birthmarks, diminutive caramel crescents over their left eyelids, and their braids hang in duplicate ropes down their backs.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García