crosshair

noun

cross·​hair ˈkrȯs-ˌher 

: 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 season

—J. H. Alter

Examples of crosshair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Signage marking the Washington headquarters of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the consumer watchdog in the Trump administration's crosshairs, came down overnight, according to a reporter's observations and photographic evidence. —Douglas Gillison and Chris Prentice, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

Felix Salmon Feb 2, 2025 - Business U.S. auto industry is in the tariff crosshairs Cars that are made in America aren't only made in America — they're made across North America. —Joann Muller, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025

This sets alcohol on the same path as tobacco: increasingly in public-health crosshairs. —Andrea Felsted, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2025

The 623-acre Denver Federal Center campus — or parts of it — could well end up in the cost-cutting crosshairs, local officials and representatives fear. —John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crosshair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

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