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

Readers share the scents that remind them of L.A. CNN finds itself at a digital crossroads after years of turmoil. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025

Naperville stands at a crossroads regarding its energy future. —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

The series follows four unmarried couples who are at a crossroads and have decided to put their relationship to the ultimate test by living in separate villas; the men will live in one with a group of single women while the women will live in a house of single men. —Emily Longeretta, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025

Wittman's at the crossroads of this issue, serving as vice chair of both Natural Resources and Armed Services. Driving the news: Wittman floated the idea of sending DPA money through the Defense Department to buy small modular reactors. —Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025

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