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

Conclusion As the evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids grows, the pharmaceutical industry stands at a crossroads. —Calvin Rasode, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

The corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sector is at a crossroads. —Anu Gupta, Harvard Business Review, 24 Oct. 2024

Situated at the crossroads of Slavic and Italian cultures, this region was once divided by the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. —David Nikel, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

In Tennessee Broadway for Families Make Your Own Premium Goo Goo At the crossroads of Broadway and Third Avenue, Goo Goo Chocolate Co. brings a tasty bit of the city’s history with a brick-and-mortar that sells the legendary chocolate candy in various forms. —Kristin Luna, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 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