crossword

American  

[kraws-wurd, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌwɜrd, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

• crosswords
  plural

1. 

   a crossword puzzle.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• crosswords
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of crossword

First recorded in 1910–15

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crossword crosswords

Coxon said he gave it a tricky crossword puzzle and marveled as it reasoned through the problem.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

You can see if you know more about the ’90s than our resident Gen Xer, play a crossword that includes references to Beanie Babies and Hummel figurines, and more.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

Start a new crossword streak: What’s an 11-letter word for a cheesy polyester ’fit?

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

“Whereas if you only have a tiny fragment, it’s like doing a crossword puzzle. You have to argue, to research, and to reconstruct the entire object.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

Like today is the mensiversary of Friendmageddon, and I’m lying on her bed making a crossword puzzle while she sits at her desk doing homework.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

As for me, I now read news on my phone, text my friends, do crosswords when I am bored, which feels far different to scrolling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

Under the blankets, a few plastic bottles filled with hot water and power banks for her phone, on which she played crosswords.

From Barron's ● Jan. 28, 2026

I grew up doing crosswords, riddles and rebuses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2025

For many years it has been suggested by some that solving puzzles, whether Sudoku or crosswords, can have a hand in slowing cognitive decline or dementia.

From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2024

I've been told that crosswords puzzles help fight the advance of Alzheimer's Disease, but that had nothing to do with my initiation.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

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