crossbow
Americannoun
-
crossbows
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of crossbow
First recorded in 1400–50, crossbow is from the late Middle English word crossbowe. See cross, bow 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Federal officials also executed three search warrants, which resulted in the discovery of more than 30 firearms and a crossbow at two of the locations, Remily said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
Officials said they have recovered more than 30 guns and a crossbow in connection with the investigation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
On March 27, Benjamin Grayson, the deputy chief of staff at the Small Business Administration, sent an email to Samuel Scales, a United States Trade Representative staffer, concerning a Florida-based crossbow manufacturer, Barnett Crossbows.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2025
Police also uncovered a video of the defendant displaying a crossbow and flag.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2025
I hope that when I sent the old chap off in the crossbow capsule, I wasn’t shooting him toward his death.
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
The Spanish conquistadors who invaded Mexico, for example, put greater faith in crossbows and cold steel than the arquebus.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
The Spaniard brought only 11 ships, some 450 men, 16 horses and a modest collection of cannons, crossbows and arquebuses, precursors to the musket.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2025
The company’s website also suggests that the crossbows are made in the United States.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2025
"The majority of our members use bows and arrows, but crossbows are used, predominantly by older or disabled participants who may be unable to use a traditional bow and arrow," he said.
From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2025
Sure enough, the guards had already strapped the crossbows across their backs.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
