crosshair

noun

cross·​hair ˈkrȯs-ˌher How to pronounce crosshair (audio)
: 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 seasonJ. H. Alter

Examples of crosshair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
China, which found itself in the Trump administrations’ crosshairs for the larger part of this year, rose over 17% year-to-date. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 July 2025 Maternal Mortality Review Committees in political crosshairs Every state has a Maternal Mortality Mortality Review Committee and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works with the boards on their review process for maternal deaths. Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Musk's rocket and satellite company, SpaceX, is also in Trump's crosshairs. Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025 The animosity between the men dates back to 2022, when Textor became majority shareholder of Lyon and immediately placed PSG — backed by Qatari state money, domestically dominant — in his crosshairs. Jack Lang, New York Times, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crosshair

Word History

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crosshair was in 1684

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crosshair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crosshair. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!