elbow

[el-boh]

noun

1. the bend or joint of the human arm between upper arm and forearm.

2. the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped.

3. something bent like an elbow, as a sharp turn in a road or river, or a piece of pipe bent at an angle.

4. Architecture.,  crossette.

5. Also called ell, el. a plumbing pipe or pipe connection having a right-angled bend.

verb (used with object)

1. to push with or as if with the elbow; jostle.

2. to make (one's way) by so pushing.

verb (used without object)

1. to elbow one's way.

   He elbowed through the crowd.

elbow

/ ˈɛlbəʊ /

noun

1. the joint between the upper arm and the forearm, formed by the junction of the radius and ulna with the humerus

2. the corresponding joint or bone of birds or mammals

3. the part of a garment that covers the elbow

4. something resembling an elbow, such as a sharp bend in a road or river

5. within easy reach

6. ragged or impoverished

7. busily occupied with; deeply immersed in

verb

1. (tr) to reject; dismiss. Also: give the elbow

2. to make (one's way) by shoving, jostling, etc

3. (tr) to knock or shove with or as if with the elbow

Word History and Origins

Origin of elbow¹

before 1000; Middle English elbowe, Old English el ( n ) boga; cognate with Middle Dutch elle ( n ) bōghe, Old High German el ( l ) inbogo ( German Ellenbogen ), Old Norse ǫl ( n ) bogi; literally, “forearm-bend.” See ell ², bow ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of elbow¹

Old English elnboga; see _ell ², _bow ²; related to Old Norse olbogi, Old High German elinbogo

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at one's elbow, within easy reach; nearby.

   A virtue of the cottage is that the ocean is at your elbow.

2. rub elbows with, to mingle socially with; associate with.

   a resort where royalty rubs elbows with the merely rich.

3. out at the elbows, Also out at elbows.

   1. poorly dressed; shabby.

   2. impoverished.

4. bend / lift / crook an elbow, to drink alcoholic beverages.

5. give the elbow, shove aside, get rid of, or reject.

6. up to one's elbows, very busy; engrossed: Also up to the elbows.

   I am up to my elbows in answering mail.

More idioms and phrases containing elbow

• at someone's elbow
• crook one's elbow
• out at the elbows
• rub elbows with

Example Sentences

It says that the government’s proper role is to clear a path so those who put in the elbow grease can earn success.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Stokes will take his place in the England attack, probably along express paceman Mark Wood, who is set to play his first Test since August 2024 after elbow and knee injuries.

Read more on BBC

It was a message sent with a bullhorn, a move made with all the subtlety of an elbow to the ribs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He’s wearing one of his many tweed jackets with green elbow patches and an emerald pocket square to match.

Read more on Literature

Lady Constance leaned back on her elbows and dismissed Penelope with a wave of her tiny foot.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• bulldoze 
• bump 
• hook 
• hustle 
• knock 
• nudge 
• shove