crossword puzzle

American  

noun

• crossword puzzles
  plural

1. a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues or definitions are supplied and fitted into correspondingly numbered sets of squares, one letter per square, the words being arranged horizontally or vertically so that most letters form part of two words.

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crossword puzzle British  

/ ˈkrɒsˌwɜːd /

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: crossword. a puzzle in which the solver deduces words suggested by numbered clues and writes them into corresponding boxes in a grid to form a vertical and horizontal pattern

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• crossword puzzles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of crossword puzzle

1910–15; cross- + word, allegedly for earlier word cross

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crossword puzzle

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 could really see the opportunity -- not just for a crossword puzzle, but for a collection of games," he noted.

From Barron's ● May 16, 2026

There’s a focus on entertainment stories and health advice columns, with a horoscope and a crossword puzzle thrown in.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025

The new game differs from Scrabble Junior, which is more of a crossword puzzle, with letters already on the board.

From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2024

I sat down across from my dad at the table; he was slowly stirring his coffee and staring down at a crossword puzzle.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley