crutch

American  

[kruhch] / krʌtʃ /

noun

• crutches
  plural

1. a staff or support to assist a lame or infirm person in walking, now usually with a crosspiece at one end to fit under the armpit.

2. any of various devices resembling this in shape or use.

3. anything that serves as a temporary and often inappropriate support, supplement, or substitute; prop.

   He uses liquor as a psychological crutch.

4. a forked support or part.

5. the crotch of the human body.

6. Nautical. Also

   1. a forked support for a boom or spar when not in use.

   2. a forked support for an oar on the sides or stern of a rowboat.

   3. a horizontal knee reinforcing the stern frames of a wooden vessel.

7. a forked device on the left side of a sidesaddle, consisting of two hooks, one of which is open at the bottom and serves to clamp the left knee and the other of which is open at the top and serves to support the right knee.

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verb (used with object)

1. to support on crutches; prop; sustain.

crutch British  

/ krʌtʃ /

noun

1. a long staff of wood or metal having a rest for the armpit, for supporting the weight of the body

2. something that supports or sustains

   a crutch to the economy

3. another word for crotch

4. nautical

   1. a forked support for a boom or oar, etc

   2. a brace for reinforcing the frames at the stern of a wooden vessel

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verb

1. (tr) to support or sustain (a person or thing) as with a crutch

2. slang to clip (wool) from the hindquarters of a sheep

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• crutchlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crutches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of crutch

before 900; Middle English crucche, Old English cryce (oblique crycce ); cognate with Norwegian krykkja, Danish krykke, German Krücke, Dutch kruk. See crook ¹

Explanation

A crutch is something you lean on when you’re hurt or weak. It can be a physical crutch you use because you broke your leg, or a friend you depend on a bit too much when you’re having a tough time. A medical crutch is a device that helps you walk when you’re injured. A psychological crutch helps you when you need it, or think you do. Medical crutches come in pairs and have soft pads that fit under your arms and handles to help you rest your body weight on them. Other types of crutches fit securely around the lower part of your arm. The Old English root word is crycce, "staff," and the figurative meaning dates from about 1600.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crutch crutches

"The physical part is very tough; I walk with a zimmer frame or a crutch and I have to be helped up the stairs, my husband has to physically put me to bed," she added.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

Filmmakers must stop using these human pawns as a crutch until they prove they have more empathy than the bad guys themselves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

But it was interesting to see him wrestle with how his work hinders that — is it the crutch or the salvation?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

O'Sullivan spent months in hospital after the crash, cannot walk more than 10m without becoming breathless and uses a crutch.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026

"I'll try not to be too long. And if any of the fair folk sing their silly songs at you, for heaven's sake, don't throw your crutch at them. They'll only steal it."

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

I need crutches or a rollator - what I call my wheels - and sometimes I need a wheelchair.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

Others required the use of crutches, wheelchairs and, in the most extreme cases, artificial breathing machines known as iron lungs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026

Richards’ ankle was so swollen after the injury that he had to use crutches.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

Teresa Valdecantos arrived propped up on crutches but was undeterred.

From Barron's ● Jun. 7, 2026

Even the twisting stairs held no terror for him, because he had learned to place the crutches carefully and swiftly where they would hold and balance him.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

Related Words

• cane