crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

 also  -ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs cross-country between main roads

2

usually crossroads ˈkrȯs-ˌrōdz 

 also  -ˈrōdz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a

: the place of intersection of two or more roads

b(1)

: a small community located at such a crossroads

(2)

: a central meeting place

c

: a crucial point especially where a decision must be made

Synonyms

• carrefour
• corner
• crossing
• crossway(s)
• intersection
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both Republicans and Democrats are at a crossroads as their parties map out directions for the next few years, writes The Hill’s Alexander Bolton. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Win or lose, Trumpism will have a massive impact on a Republican Party that is very much at a crossroads. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

American policy is at a crossroads, but that won’t necessarily translate to a turning point in peace negotiations, analysts say. —Lauren Kent, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024

Two of Russia’s neighbors find themselves at a crossroads, with Moscow hoping to steer them toward its orbit rather than greater engagement with Europe. —David Hodari, NBC News, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crossroad

noun

cross·​road ˈkrȯs-ˌrōd 

-ˈrōd

1

: a road that crosses a main road or runs across country between main roads

2

a

: a place where roads cross

—usually used in plural

b

: a small community at a crossroads

3

: a place or time at which a decision must be made