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

• carrefour
• corner
• crossing
• crossway(s)
• intersection
• junction

Examples of crossroad in a Sentence

Traffic was stopped at the crossroad.

We turned onto a crossroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the city is at a crossroads, the job of mayor is shrinking, and with it the likelihood that bold and competent future leadership can lift Chicago from a historic morass. —Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025

On the cusp of her 39th birthday, British-Mexican designer Erika Alvarez stands at a crossroads of tradition and possibility. —Pooja Shah, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

Miami Herald 305-376-3446 Jay Weaver writes about federal crime at the crossroads of South Florida and Latin America. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025

The Thatcherite Britain of Blue Jean Is an Eerie Mirror for the Present Georgia Oakley’s debut feature tells a profoundly moving story of a closeted lesbian teacher at a crossroads. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 11 Mar. 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