elbow

1 of 2

noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō 

1

a

: the joint of the human arm

b

: a corresponding joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate

2

: something (such as macaroni or an angular pipe fitting) resembling an elbow

elbow

2 of 2

verb

elbowed; elbowing; elbows

transitive verb

1

a

: to push with the elbow : jostle

b

: to shove aside by pushing with or as if with the elbow

people elbowed each other to get a better view

2

: to force (one's way) by pushing with or as if with the elbow

elbowing our way through the crowd

intransitive verb

1

: to advance by pushing with the elbow

2

: to make an angle : turn

Phrases

at one's elbow

: at one's side

out at elbows or out at the elbows

1

: shabbily dressed

2

: short of funds

Synonyms

Verb

• bore
• bull
• bulldoze
• crash
• jam
• jostle
• muscle
• press
• push
• shoulder
• squeeze

Examples of elbow in a Sentence

Noun

He wore a tattered coat with holes in the elbows.

Verb

The actor's bodyguards rudely elbowed everyone out of the way.

Everyone was shoving and elbowing to get a good position.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Still, both superstars would continue fighting into the crowd, where Owens would silence Orton with an elbow drop. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

Before that, a torn ligament in her elbow ended her time at the University of Oregon. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

The plan went swimmingly: the island saw economic growth at an annual average of seventy per cent for almost a decade, and eventually elbowed its way into the ranks of the upper-middle-income countries. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

Although younger models are elbowing their way into territory once dominated by prewar favorites such as the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B, Hagerty insists the shift doesn’t reflect a compromise in quality. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English elbowe, from Old English elboga, from el- (akin to eln ell) + Old English boga bow — more at ell, bow

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing elbow

• at someone's elbow
• elbow bump
• elbow grease
• elbow room
• give (someone) the elbow
• more power to someone's elbow
• tennis elbow

Kids Definition

elbow

1 of 2 noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō 

1

a

: the joint of the arm

also : the outer curve of a bent arm

b

: a corresponding joint in the front limb of an animal

2

: a part (as of a pipe) bent like an elbow

elbow

2 of 2 verb

1

: to push or shove with the elbow : jostle

2

: to advance by or as if by pushing with the elbow

elbowed his way to the front

Medical Definition

elbow

noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō 

1

: the joint between the human forearm and the upper arm that supports the outer curve of the arm when bent

called also elbow joint

2

: a joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate corresponding to the elbow