crosshair

noun

cross·​hair ˈkrȯs-ˌher 

: a fine wire or thread in the focus of the eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a reference line in the field or for marking the instrumental axis

—used figuratively to describe someone or something being targeted as if through an aiming device having crosshairs

… in the crosshairs this political season

—J. H. Alter

Examples of crosshair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This partisan divide, and conservative concerns about federal spending in general, have put scientific agencies and their research budgets in the administration’s crosshairs. —Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025

Felix Salmon Feb 2, 2025 - Business U.S. auto industry is in the tariff crosshairs Cars that are made in America aren't only made in America — they're made across North America. —Joann Muller, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025

The Islamic Republic has Trump in its crosshairs with assassination plans since the president ordered a military strike that eliminated IRGC General Qassem Soleimani in 2020. —Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are moving forward to develop cost-cutting plans to offset the massive costs of extending and expanding tax cuts; squarely in the GOP crosshairs are these very same programs. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crosshair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

cross hair

noun

: one of the very thin wires or threads in the eyepiece of an optical instrument (as a microscope) used as a reference line