crescent
a shape resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.
something, as a roll or cookie, having this shape.
Astronomy.
the figure of the moon in its first or last quarter, resembling a segment of a ring tapering to points at the ends.
the similar figure of Mercury and Venus on either side of inferior conjunction, when seen through a telescope.
the emblem of Turkey or of Islam.
the power, religion, or civilization of Turkey or of Islam.
Also called Chinese crescent, Chi·nese pa·vil·ion [chahy-neez puh-vil-yuhn, -nees], /ˈtʃaɪ niz pəˈvɪl yən, -nis/, jingling Johnny, pavillon Chinois, Turk·ish cres·cent [tur-kish kres-uhnt] /ˈtɜr kɪʃ ˈkrɛs ənt/ . 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.
Chiefly British.
a curved street, often having solid façades of unified architectural design.
the curve or curved portion of a street.
Heraldry. a representation of a crescent moon, horns upward unless otherwise specified, used as the cadency mark of a second son.
shaped like a crescent.
increasing; growing.
Origin of crescent
1Other words from crescent
- cres·cen·tic [kri-sen-tik], /krɪˈsɛn tɪk/, adjective
- sub·cres·cen·tic, adjective
Words Nearby crescent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use crescent in a sentence
If partly to mostly cloudy skies allow a glimpse, check out the sliver of new crescent moon on the western horizon with Mars and Venus in conjunction.
D.C.-area forecast: Scattered late-day storms, then a more pleasant start to the weekend | A. Camden Walker | July 9, 2021 | Washington PostThe sliver of a new crescent moon on the western horizon with Mars and Venus in conjunction is likely to be obscured early Sunday evening but has a better chance to be seen Monday evening.
Updated forecast: Flash flood watch extended into District due to downpours from Elsa | David Streit, Jason Samenow | July 8, 2021 | Washington PostFor this week’s Classic, let’s take a closer look at a waxing crescent moon.
Can You Crack The Case Of The Crescent Moon? | Zach Wissner-Gross (riddlercolumn@gmail.com) | April 16, 2021 | FiveThirtyEightThe industry has its critics, such as Prince William residents concerned that data centers will spoil the beauty of its western rural crescent.
Silver lining: Pandemic triggers booms in D.C. region’s biotech, data center industries | Robert McCartney | April 12, 2021 | Washington PostThe crescent-shaped pastries called shekerbura, filled with crushed hazelnuts, sugar and cardamom, look more like something to admire as art than ravage with fingers and teeth.
This new Azerbaijani bakery offers stories as good as its pastries | Tom Sietsema | February 26, 2021 | Washington Post
Leaving the OR that night, I looked up the clear sky, at the flocks of white seagulls and a sliver of crescent moon.
Tipitina's in the warm blue fog, squatting beneath a crescent moon so sharp and clean you could shave a wild hog with it.
The Stacks: The Neville Brothers Stake Their Claim as Bards of the Bayou | John Ed Bradley | April 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMore Red Cross and Red crescent volunteers have been killed in this conflict than in any other since records have been kept.
The head of Iran's Red crescent rescue corps, Mahmoud Mozafar, said communications to the stricken areas have been cut.
At Least 34 Dead in Pakistan After 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake | Justin Green | April 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Syrian Arab Red crescent recently estimated that 2.5 million people have been displaced within the country.
Under Siege, Damascus Gets Desperate for Food and Fuel | Mikel Ayestaran | December 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe valve-seat H has formed on its lower surface two crescent shaped long and narrow slits.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building | George Laing MillerFrom her windows could be seen the crescent of the river, the masts of ships and the big chimneys of the Mississippi steamers.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinIt floated out upon the night, over the housetops, the crescent of the river, losing itself in the silence of the upper air.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinOn either horn of the crescent by which the pebbles are imported into the pocket we find the largest fragments.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerThey are ranged around a crescent-shaped table formed of cushions, and wear festive crowns upon their heads.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow
British Dictionary definitions for crescent
/ (ˈkrɛsənt, -zənt) /
the biconcave shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
any shape or object resembling this
mainly British
a crescent-shaped street, often lined with houses of the same style
(capital when part of a name): Pelham Crescent
heraldry a crescent moon, used as the cadency mark of a second son
the crescent (often capital)
the emblem of Islam or Turkey
Islamic or Turkish power
archaic, or poetic increasing or growing
Origin of crescent
1Derived forms of crescent
- crescentic (krəˈsɛntɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for crescent
[ krĕs′ənt ]
Partly but less than half illuminated. Used to describe the Moon or a planet. Compare gibbous.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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