crossbow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, historical, technical
Quick answer
What does “crossbow” mean?
A medieval weapon consisting of a bow fixed crosswise on a wooden stock, with a mechanism for drawing and releasing the string to shoot projectiles (bolts or quarrels).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medieval weapon consisting of a bow fixed crosswise on a wooden stock, with a mechanism for drawing and releasing the string to shoot projectiles (bolts or quarrels).
Any modern handheld weapon based on the same mechanical principle, often used for sport, hunting, or historical reenactment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. The spelling is identical.
Connotations
Both varieties strongly associate the word with medieval European warfare, fantasy genres (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons), and specialised hunting.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, encountered primarily in historical, gaming, or specific sporting contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crossbow” in a Sentence
[Subject] + fire/shoot + [crossbow] + (at + [target])[Subject] + load + [crossbow][Subject] + be armed with + [crossbow]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare; potentially in context of manufacturing or selling historical replicas or sporting goods.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, or military history texts discussing medieval warfare technology.
Everyday
Very rare; might occur in discussions about history, films, video games, or niche hunting sports.
Technical
Used in historical weaponry, reenactment, and modern archery/hunting communities to specify the mechanical bow type.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crossbow”
- Using 'crossbow' to refer to a normal bow and arrow. (Incorrect: 'He shot the deer with a crossbow and arrow.')
- Misspelling as 'cross bow' (it is a closed compound noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, closed compound word: 'crossbow'. The spelling 'cross bow' is incorrect.
They are typically called 'bolts' or, historically, 'quarrels'. They are shorter and stouter than arrows used for a longbow.
Yes, primarily for target shooting, historical reenactment, and in some regions for hunting medium to large game where regulations permit.
An arbalest is a specific, later type of medieval crossbow with a steel prod (bow) and greater power. In modern usage, 'arbalest' is often used as a synonym for a powerful crossbow, but historically it was a distinct development.
A medieval weapon consisting of a bow fixed crosswise on a wooden stock, with a mechanism for drawing and releasing the string to shoot projectiles (bolts or quarrels).
Crossbow is usually formal, historical, technical in register.
Crossbow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒs.bəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɔːs.boʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BOW placed CROSSwise on a stock. The word literally describes its shape: a cross + bow.
Conceptual Metaphor
A crossbow is often metaphorically a symbol of medieval ingenuity, silent power, or a tool requiring patience and precision.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining feature of a crossbow?