crossroad

n.
1 (usu. in pl.) an intersection of two or more roads.
2 US a road that crosses a main road or joins two main roads.
Phrases and idioms:
at the crossroads at a critical point in one's life.

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noun

a junction where one street or road crosses another (Freq. 1)

• Syn: ↑intersection, ↑crossway, ↑crossing, ↑carrefour

• Derivationally related forms: ↑cross (for: ↑crossing)

• Hypernyms: ↑junction

• Hyponyms: ↑corner, ↑street corner, ↑turning point, ↑level crossing, ↑grade crossing

• Part Holonyms: ↑road, ↑route

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\\ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ also ˈ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: cross (III) + road

1. : a road that crosses a main road or runs across country between main roads

he came by way of a crossroad

2. oftenoun plural but singular or plural in construction : the place of intersection of two or more roads

traffic stalled at a crossroad

a remote crossroads hamlet

the … travelers reached a crossroads marked by a signpost — F.V.W.Mason

3. usually plural but singular or plural in construction

a. : a small community located at a crossroads and often serving as the meeting place of the inhabitants of the surrounding countryside

the small general store at any crossroads — J.M.Mogey

physicians then were to be found … even at some of the crossroads — Journal American Medical Association

b. : a central meeting place : focal point

like Broadway for showmen or Wall Street for financiers, it is a crossroads for army men — Green Peyton

England will be uncomfortable while confusion lasts in Europe for a world crossroads community — Griffin Barry

4. usually plural but singular or plural in construction : a crucial or critical point or place especially where a decision or choice must be made

it is generally realized that defense policy is at the crossroads — Lewis Hastings

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/kraws"rohd', kros"-/, n.

1. a road that crosses another road, or one that runs transversely to main roads.

2. a by-road.

3. Often, crossroads. (used with a sing. or pl. v.)

a. the place where roads intersect.

b. a point at which a vital decision must be made.

c. a main center of activity.

[1710-20; CROSS- + ROAD]

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crossˈroad noun

1. A road crossing the principal road, a bypath

2. A road joining main roads

3. (often in pl) a place where roads cross

4. (in pl) a stage at which an important decision has to be made

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Main Entry: ↑cross