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
elbowed; elbowing; elbows
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
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
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Not only did Ronald Acuña Jr. (knee) and Spencer Strider (elbow) suffer season-ending injuries, 3B Austin Riley and OF Michael Harris II both played in just 110 games and 2B Ozzie Albies played in just 99 games.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2025
Even sitting elbow to elbow in the dining room of the Southwest Colorado inn where the retreat was held, no one interacted in any way.
—Kate Siber, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
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Noun
The Bronx Bombers are going to be without their ace, Gerrit Cole, for the entire season after the righty underwent elbow surgery.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Not only did Ronald Acuña Jr. (knee) and Spencer Strider (elbow) suffer season-ending injuries, 3B Austin Riley and OF Michael Harris II both played in just 110 games and 2B Ozzie Albies played in just 99 games.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Hunt elbowed him to the ground with his left arm and sank a game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds left in 1989.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2025
Even sitting elbow to elbow in the dining room of the Southwest Colorado inn where the retreat was held, no one interacted in any way.
—Kate Siber, Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
Cite this Entry
“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elbow
1 of 2 noun
el·bow
ˈel-ˌbō 
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 verb1
: 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
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
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