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

The first was a long-range shot by Álex Baena that hit the crossbar; on the rebound, Yamal fired the ball straight into the Austria goalkeeper’s body.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

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

They are gracefully wrought, each one worked with the same intricate, almost obsessive detail, from hilt to crossbar to minutely etched blade.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

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