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

Today, he’s jumpstarted a career that was undoubtedly at a crossroads. —Rob Reischel, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024

But now that inflation is cooling off — the latest consumer price index is at its lowest level since February 2021 — private brands are at a crossroads. —Bob Woods, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2024

Kentucky's universities find themselves at a crossroads following a legislative session that saw lawmakers attempt to impede or dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts within public higher education. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 13 Sep. 2024

In the autumn of 2022, Nilüfer Yanya found herself at a crossroads. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 13 Sep. 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