crossroad

[ kraws-rohd, kros- ]

noun

1. a road that crosses another road, or one that runs transversely to main roads.
2. a by-road.
3. Often crossroads. (used with a singular or plural verb)
   1. the place where roads intersect.
   2. a point at which a vital decision must be made.
   3. a main center of activity.

crossroad

/ ˈkrɒsˌrəʊd /

noun

1. a road that crosses another road
2. Also calledcrossway a road that crosses from one main road to another

Word History and Origins

Origin of crossroad¹

First recorded in 1710–20; cross- + road

Example Sentences

In 2013, facing a crossroads with expiring city leases, then-Mayor Bob Filner took up a prominent downtown commercial real estate broker’s offer to help for free.

From Voice of San Diego

We’re at this weird crossroads, where people say they’re working harder than ever but also say they love working from home.

From Digiday

In this three-dimensional space there are three axes — x, y and z — that all intersect at a crossroads, the origin.

From Quanta Magazine

Even at this historic crossroad, the number of women in Congress increased by only 4 percent.

From Washington Post

So here we are, at another crossroads in the nation’s history.

From Ozy

Your husband left us at the very first crossroad toward your place and I was absorbed with my new-old neighbors' affairs.

From Project Gutenberg

They turned into a crossroad after a time, and there in a little village Sara Lee found her new home.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a crossroad there, you remember, cutting through to the lake, and I turned in.

From Project Gutenberg

As we had foreseen, there were plenty of thirsty people walking along the Dover Road, and even some from the crossroad.

From Project Gutenberg

It would have been easy for them to miss each other, unless they happened to take the same crossroad.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• intersection