crossroad

IPA/ˈkrɒs.rəʊd/
KK[krˈɔsrˌod]IPA/ˈkrɑːs.roʊd/

crossroad — noun

  • crossroadsingular
  • crossroadsplural

1. a place where two roads cross each other, allowing people or vehicles to turn fr

1.nounB1
Definition

a place where two roads cross each other, allowing people or vehicles to turn from one road to the other

Example

Walid turned right at the crossroad where the old highway met the village lane.

preposition: at the crossroad

The crossroad near Anong's house has no traffic lights, so drivers must slow down.

Common collocations
  • at a/the crossroad
  • reach a crossroad
  • crossroad junction
Synonyms
  • junction

    more general — any point where roads or railways meet, not limited to crossing

  • intersection

    more common in American English; implies roads crossing at the same level

  • crossing

    simpler and more general; can also refer to pedestrian crossings or railway crossings

Usage Note

The singular form crossroad describes a physical road or junction. The plural form crossroads is much more common and can also be used figuratively to mean a point where an important decision must be made (e.g., at a crossroads in life).

Common Mistakes

I am at a crossroad in my career.
I am at a crossroads in my career.
The figurative meaning of a critical decision point uses the plural form 'crossroads,' not the singular 'crossroad.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Crossroad (singular) is the least common of these words and refers only to a physical place where roads cross. Crossroads (plural) is far more frequent and can be used both literally (a road junction) and figuratively (a decisive moment). Intersection is the standard American term for any place where roads meet, often at right angles. Junction is broader — it covers roads, railways, and motorway exits, and may involve branching rather than crossing. Crossing is the simplest, most general word but also has other meanings (pedestrian crossing, border crossing). For example: 'Turn left at the next intersection' (US) sounds natural, while 'Turn left at the next junction' (UK) is equally correct but feels British.

crossroad ↗crossroads ↗intersection ↗junction ↗crossing ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the crossroad of [road name] and [road name]

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishEnglish

Crossroad is formed by combining 'cross' (from Latin 'crux', meaning to intersect) and 'road' (from Old English 'rād', meaning a riding path or way). The word has been used since the 1500s to describe a road that crosses another road.