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

Miami Herald 305-376-3446 Jay Weaver writes about federal crime at the crossroads of South Florida and Latin America. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025

Now, displaced residents find themselves at a crossroads. —Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025

At the start of the season, the Spain international’s career was at a crossroads. —Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025

Dennis Eckersley comes home: His career at a crossroads, Eckersley, who grew up in Fremont, was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the A’s on April 3, 1987 along with Dan Rohn for three minor leaguers. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

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