crossbar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Technical/General
Quick answer
What does “crossbar” mean?
A horizontal bar fixed between two upright posts, most notably in football/soccer goal frames and bicycle frames.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A horizontal bar fixed between two upright posts, most notably in football/soccer goal frames and bicycle frames.
Any horizontal bar forming a crosspiece, such as the upper part of a window sash, a level bar on a post in electric fences, or a horizontal bar in various mechanical or structural frameworks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning differences. In football contexts, both use 'crossbar' for the goal's top bar. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to higher cultural prominence of football (soccer).
Grammar
How to Use “crossbar” in a Sentence
The [noun] hit the crossbar.He leaned against the crossbar of his [bicycle].The shot rattled the crossbar.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crossbar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The striker managed to crossbar the ball in the final minute.
American English
- The forward crossbarred the shot from 30 yards out.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in physics or engineering contexts describing simple structural elements.
Everyday
Most common in sports (football) and cycling conversations.
Technical
Precise term in sports equipment, bicycle design, and construction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crossbar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crossbar”
- Using 'crossbar' to refer to the entire goal frame (it's only the top horizontal part). Confusing it with 'crossbeam' in non-sporting contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the structure in American football goals is called the 'goalpost' or 'upright'; 'crossbar' specifically refers to the lower horizontal bar in that sport, but the term is less culturally prominent than in soccer.
Very rarely and informally in sports commentary (e.g., 'He crossbarred it'), but it is not standard. It is overwhelmingly used as a noun.
They are often synonymous in construction. However, 'crossbar' is strongly associated with sports and bicycles, while 'crossbeam' is a more general engineering/construction term.
No, the spelling 'crossbar' is identical in both British and American English.
A horizontal bar fixed between two upright posts, most notably in football/soccer goal frames and bicycle frames.
Crossbar is usually technical/general in register.
Crossbar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒs.bɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɔːs.bɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rattle the crossbar/crossbar challenge (football).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CROSS being formed by a horizontal BAR placed across two vertical posts.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIMIT or BARRIER (e.g., 'His shot hit the crossbar' metaphorically implies coming very close to success but not quite achieving it).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'crossbar' LEAST likely to be used?