crossbow

noun

cross·​bow ˈkrȯs-ˌbō How to pronounce crossbow (audio)
: a weapon for shooting quarrels and stones that consists chiefly of a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a stock

Illustration of crossbow

Illustration of crossbow

Examples of crossbow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rogers was allegedly evasive when asked how his truck had gone off the road and down an embankment and started to walk away from the trooper toward a nearby picnic table with a crossbow and several arrows on it, state police said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026 One of them survived, and officials said at least one of the alligators was shot with a crossbow bolt. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026 At least one of the alligators was shot with a crossbow bolt, indicating intentional targeting, and the carcasses of the two alligators that died were abandoned and left to waste, TPWD said. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 The incident occurred during the crossbow sharp-shooting act in the Circus Murcia tent, News 12 Westchester reported. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crossbow

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crossbow was in the 15th century

Rhymes for crossbow

See All Rhymes for crossbow

Browse Nearby Words

crossbones
crossbow
crossbowman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crossbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbow. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

crossbow

noun
cross·​bow -ˌbō How to pronounce crossbow (audio)
: a short bow mounted crosswise near the end of a wooden stock that shoots short arrows

More from Merriam-Webster on crossbow

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crossbow

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