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
elbowed; elbowing; elbows
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
Synonyms
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
Joey Copponi, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
His elbow came up, driving Heiskanen’s head into the boards.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
The failures of its awkward attempts to elbow its way into the media world could be shrugged off, but not its big misses—the mobile revolution and the importance of graphic chips, earth-shattering events that its rivals exploited.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elbow 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Sandoval suffered an elbow injury in June that required Tommy John surgery after starting 16 games and pitching 79 2/3 innings.
—Joey Copponi, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
His elbow came up, driving Heiskanen’s head into the boards.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
These awards, combined with the depths of Jean-Baptiste’s performance, will help to firmly elbow her into the conversation.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
The failures of its awkward attempts to elbow its way into the media world could be shrugged off, but not its big misses—the mobile revolution and the importance of graphic chips, earth-shattering events that its rivals exploited.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elbow
Dictionary Entries Near elbow
Cite this Entry
“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share