crossroads

British  

/ ˈkrɒsˌrəʊdz /

noun

1. an area or the point at which two or more roads cross each other

2. the point at which an important choice has to be made (esp in the phrase at the crossroads )

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Explanation

The noun crossroads is great for describing a point in your life when you have to make an important decision, like when you need to choose whether to attend college or backpack across Asia. Though a literal definition of crossroads might be something like "the point where two roads meet," it is more often used in a figurative way, to mean a situation that requires some important choice must be made. The word crossroads has been used to title dozens of songs and albums over the years, and it's known in folk mythology as an otherworldly place — between two worlds — where spirits tend to congregate.

Example Sentences

The findings point to human interaction, rather than isolation, as a key force behind early technological and cultural progress, with the Levant acting as a major crossroads in human history.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

Now that K-pop is a fixture on the fest’s biggest stages, Bini could make a major impression as an ambassador for a country that is a great crossroads for music.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

He added that Apple is “at a crossroads again as we are having a paradigm shift on what its role is going to be in AI.”

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The first vehicle poked its nose into the crossroads and Tigri, the coup leader, climbed out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

At the crossroads, Francey lifted his pack higher, and Maggie turned to walk backward.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff