elbow

1 of 2

noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō 

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

elbow

2 of 2

verb

elbowed; elbowing; elbows

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to advance by pushing with the elbow

2

: to make an angle : turn

Phrases

at one's elbow

: at one's side

out at elbows or out at the elbows

1

: shabbily dressed

2

: short of funds

Synonyms

Verb

• bore
• bull
• bulldoze
• crash
• jam
• jostle
• muscle
• press
• push
• shoulder
• squeeze

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

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English elbowe, from Old English elboga, from el- (akin to eln ell) + Old English boga bow — more at ell, bow

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing elbow

• at someone's elbow
• elbow bump
• elbow grease
• elbow room
• give (someone) the elbow
• more power to someone's elbow
• tennis elbow

Kids 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 verb

1

: 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