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Synonyms

crossroad

American  
[kraws-rohd, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌroʊd, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

  1. a road that crosses another road, or one that runs transversely to main roads.

  2. a by-road.

  3. (used with a singular or plural verb) Often crossroads.

    1. the place where roads intersect.

    2. a point at which a vital decision must be made.

    3. a main center of activity.

crossroad British  
/ ˈkrɒsˌrəʊd /

noun

  1. a road that crosses another road

  2. Also called: crossway.  a road that crosses from one main road to another

"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

Etymology

Origin of crossroad

First recorded in 1710–20; cross- + road

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.

In light of this, India finds itself at a crossroad.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2025

Stephan's Quintet represents "a galactic crossroad where past collisions between galaxies have left behind a complex field of debris," which has now been reawakened by the passage of the galaxy, NGC 7318b.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2024

We’ll be tasked to look at crossroad puzzles in unexpected ways, to piece together visual obstacles, construct actual puzzles and partake in one task that feels like a mini science experiment.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

“Today we’ve reached a crossroad in our relationship with the ACC,” Florida State Board of Trustees chairman Peter Collins said during a trustees meeting to approve the legal action.

From Washington Times • Dec. 22, 2023

I remember we came up to a crossroad, sand everywhere, the outline of two intersecting roads.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri

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.