crossfire
Americannoun
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lines of gunfire from two or more positions or combatants crossing one another, or a single one of such lines.
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a brisk exchange of words or opinions.
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a situation involving conflicting claims, forces, etc.
noun
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military converging fire from one or more positions
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a lively exchange of ideas, opinions, etc
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of crossfire
First recorded in 1855–60
Explanation
Crossfire is when weapons are being fired from different directions, crossing the same general area. Getting caught in crossfire during a shootout can be deadly. Crossfire is a situation that comes up when gangsters and police officers are shooting at each other, or in a war during a battle between enemies. A figurative type of crossfire is much more common: the back-and-forth of strenuous arguments, debate, or controversy. You might, for example, find yourself caught in the crossfire of your best friends' feud. The word dates from the 18th century.
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.
And while markets and ordinary Americans have focused on the rise in oil prices, fertilizer also gotten caught in the crossfire.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
For many young Lebanese caught in the crossfire, their formative years have been jeopardised by repeated conflicts and crises.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
For families caught in the crossfire, the escalation has brought renewed fear.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
Some countries in the region have been caught in the crossfire after strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday 28 February.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
I knew nobody wanted to be caught in a crossfire.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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.
