elbow

1 of 2

noun

el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō How to pronounce elbow (audio)
1
a
: the joint of the human arm
b
: a corresponding joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate
2
: something (such as macaroni or an angular pipe fitting) resembling an elbow

elbow

2 of 2

verb

elbowed; elbowing; elbows

transitive verb

1
a
: to push with the elbow : jostle
b
: to shove aside by pushing with or as if with the elbow
people elbowed each other to get a better view
2
: to force (one's way) by pushing with or as if with the elbow
elbowing our way through the crowd

intransitive verb

1
: to advance by pushing with the elbow
2
: to make an angle : turn
Phrases
at one's elbow
: at one's side
out at elbows or out at the elbows
1
: shabbily dressed
2
: short of funds

Examples of elbow in a Sentence

Noun He wore a tattered coat with holes in the elbows. Verb The actor's bodyguards rudely elbowed everyone out of the way. Everyone was shoving and elbowing to get a good position.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
By effectively transferring his weight forward, Yamamoto was able to deliver pitches in a manner that decreased the stress on his elbow. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Kelly Hale, the general manager for the Hot Springs Village Property Owners' Association, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette by phone that an individual slipped on their deck and hit their elbow. Joseph Flaherty, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2024 Quite a number of years ago, my elbow was broken in a car accident and never healed correctly. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Lift your body up using a down-and-back motion with your elbows. Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 13 Mar. 2024 An office manager was hit — his hand, his elbow, his torso. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Although he is known for being a two-way player, the reigning MVP will not be pitching this season due to undergoing elbow surgery. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 The video provided to The Post by the public defender’s office shows Shifflett pulling out his gun with his left hand and hoisting his bent elbow above his shoulders. Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2024 Why did Helmut Lang opt for sleeves slashed at the elbow, eventually his signature? André Wheeler, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
Sabonis bullied Davis into the block, spun, elbowed him in the jaw and scored, the Kings center running back while Davis stayed on the court. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 In the wake of violent unrest in January 2022, Nazarbayev was elbowed aside by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev from his security council post and lost key policymaking privileges. Nathan Hodge, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 But what about a pitcher who will turn age 37 in March, had shoulder surgery in 2016 and elbow surgery in 2022 (as well as in 2004)? Chuck Murr, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 On a Venice side street, Bergamo elbowed through the throngs of mask-wearing Carnival-goers on his commute to his new home, 40 minutes north of here. Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 The Bruins found themselves short-handed midway through the first half when Mack elbowed Carlson in the throat, earning a flagrant-2 foul and an ejection. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2024 The commercials also managed to elbow their way into the conversation: Beyoncé used one to announce her next album. Billy Witz, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 Gunn responded by elbowing Klesmit in the left side of the face. Steve Megargee, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024 This is just one of the many small joys and pleasures of the Italian riviera — no waiting in lines, no elbowing other people, fewer selfie sticks, and a generally more low-key vibe. Hannah Seligson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elbow.' 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 elbowe, from Old English elboga, from el- (akin to eln ell) + Old English boga bow — more at ell, bow

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near elbow

Cite this Entry

“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elbow

1 of 2 noun
el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō How to pronounce elbow (audio)
1
a
: the joint of the arm
also : the outer curve of a bent arm
b
: a corresponding joint in the front limb of an animal
2
: a part (as of a pipe) bent like an elbow

elbow

2 of 2 verb
1
: to push or shove with the elbow : jostle
2
: to advance by or as if by pushing with the elbow
elbowed his way to the front

Medical Definition

elbow

noun
el·​bow ˈel-ˌbō How to pronounce elbow (audio)
1
: the joint between the human forearm and the upper arm that supports the outer curve of the arm when bent

called also elbow joint

2
: a joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate corresponding to the elbow

More from Merriam-Webster on elbow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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