crutch

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a support typically fitting under the armpit for use by the disabled in walking
b
: a source or means of support or assistance that is relied on heavily or excessively
They refuse to take any pills. They don't want to use drugs as a crutch.Maya Pines
Even many atheists would agree that believing that God cares about you or that your life is part of a cosmic plan can be a powerful source of hope (or, to put it pejoratively, a crutch).Virginia Postrel
2
: a forked leg rest constituting the pommel of a sidesaddle
3
: the crotch of a human being or an animal
4
: a forked support

crutch

2 of 2

verb

crutched; crutching; crutches

transitive verb

: to support on crutches : prop up

Examples of crutch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The former Posh Spicer was seen hobbling around on a pair of crutches during her Paris Fashion Week show at the Louvre Museum on Friday. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Two Madam Blå colanders, also, and a pair of hospital crutches. Thomas Korsgaard, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 That’s a concept that is frankly hard to grasp — and in some ways, it could be used as a crutch. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2024 Marler, an affable fixture on the local morning news for more than two decades, has gotten into the habit of carrying on with aplomb over the years through a broken foot, an elbow repair, neurological complications from vertigo and, now, coping with the help of crutches. Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2024 And the idea that athletic departments are using it as a crutch to keep their nonprofit status and duck what has become an obvious responsibility to operate like proper businesses is an outrage that nobody should stand for. Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 After limping back to the IU sideline from the tunnel, Reneau exited the court with the assistance of crutches. Zion Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Jan. 2024 His gaze landed on a man with a shock of yellow hair who was dressed in street clothes and sitting on a bench beside a pair of crutches. Bill Morris, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024 Victoria looks chic as usual in all black—despite the medical boot on one foot and crutches. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
At 2:45, Maddow crutched in silently, stood with her back to her staff and observed the list, drawing a thick black line next to topics that interested her. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2019 Thorson, now a grad student holding an undergraduate degree in communication studies, remains the relentlessly positive team-first guy who insisted on crutching to the NU sideline to watch the second half of the Music City Bowl. Teddy Greenstein, chicagotribune.com, 2 July 2018 Scalise still needs either crutches or a cane to get around after having nine surgeries to repair his pelvis, hip and left femur left shattered by bullets, CNN reported. Natalie Dreier, ajc, 14 June 2018 When Purdue played Nebraska about a month later, Tyler Trent crutched out to midfield for the coin toss. Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2018 He was recorded crutching down a hallway at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday. Jacob Klinger, cleveland.com, 18 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crutch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English crucche, from Old English crycc; akin to Old High German krucka crutch

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crutch was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near crutch

Cite this Entry

“Crutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crutch. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

crutch

noun
ˈkrəch
1
: a support usually made with a piece at the top to fit under the armpit for use by a disabled or injured person as an aid in walking
2
: something (as a support or prop) like a crutch in shape or use

Medical Definition

crutch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a support typically fitting under the armpit for use as an aid in walking
2
: the crotch especially of an animal

crutch

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to support on crutches
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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