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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crossbar

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

Hit the crossbar with a close-range header late on when he should have scored.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

The match is still remembered for the post-match pitch invasion, where fans stole parts of the turf and broke the crossbar on one of the goals.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

And what about those jazzy plastic strakes framing the gloss-black crossbar?

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

He stood beneath the crossbar, waiting for the shot.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

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