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

Martinez, known as a tough sentencing judge, had already given out five life terms to five prior defendants in the Haiti assassination case, which is now at a crossroads. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 21 May 2024

Meanwhile, Maryland stands at a crossroads, holding the necessary ingredients to be one of the most competitive states but consistently losing out to those around us. —Michael Gill, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2024

The United States finds itself at a crossroads, falling behind other nations in global sustainability efforts. —Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024

At the beginning of the Season 6 episode, Olivia (Samantha Logan) struggled to finish her book about Billy, her late father, as Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) found himself at a crossroads about his possible future in the NFL. —Emily Longeretta, Variety, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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