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

• intersection
• corner
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, their 10-strong studio operates at the crossroads of research and craft. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

This Boston run will feature playwright Ins Choi in the title role, the family father running his Toronto store at the crossroads of two cultures and generations. —Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025

In the movie, King is at a career crossroads amid a changing entertainment industry interested in social media and technology. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

In 2025, the global fashion industry stands at a critical crossroads. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crossroad

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• decode

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