crutch
noun
\ ˈkrəch
\
\
Definition of crutch
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
verb
crutched;
crutching;
crutches
Definition of crutch (Entry 2 of 2)
: to support on crutches : prop up
Examples of crutch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Beason was carted off the field Tuesday and returned to the sideline using crutches after an evaluation. — Shannon Ryan, chicagotribune.com, "Illini cornerback Marquez Beason suffers a ‘significant’ knee injury: ‘It’s not looking good,’ Lovie Smith says," 15 Aug. 2019 He was helped off the field by the training staff, eventually taken off the field on a cart and was using crutches after practice. — Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW tight end Luke Benzschawel suffers an apparent right-knee injury in practice," 12 Aug. 2019 At the end of the day: An unnecessary verbal crutch which adds nothing to the interview and wastes valuable time. — Suresh Rangarajan, Quartz India, "It’s 2019 and Indian businesses need to retire these clichéd phrases," 31 July 2019 Following an injury during rehearsals, Light plays the role on a crutch, which looks like a deliberate dramatic device and only makes his alert, punchy performance more compelling. — Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Uncle Vanya': Theater Review," 31 July 2019 The injury was bad enough to keep him on crutches the next several weeks, but not enough to require surgery. — Richard Obert, azcentral, "Chaparral's Jack Miller out to prove he's the best QB in the nation," 5 Aug. 2019 With a brace over his right knee and using crutches to walk around, Reds catcher Curt Casali is expected to be sidelined for the next three or four weeks with a right knee sprain. — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett confident he will break out of early slump," 18 July 2019 The knee scooter is too heavy to carry outside and my foot swells immediately on crutches. — Emily J. Smith, Curbed, "The unexpected gift of couch arrest," 18 July 2019 He was helped off the court to the locker room and was seen in the Scotiabank Arena hallways wearing a walking boot and using crutches. — Aj Neuharth-keusch, USA TODAY, "Kevin Durant has surgery for torn right Achilles tendon," 12 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
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, "First words: Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson talks ACL prognosis, marriage and why he ‘can’t skip steps’," 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, "Rep. Steve Scalise to return to field one year after Congressional Baseball shooting," 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, "Doyel: Purdue freshman can't make tourney, but cancer is just an inconvenience," 15 Mar. 2018 He was recorded crutching down a hallway at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday. — Jacob Klinger, cleveland.com, "Steelers short 3 offensive, 2 defensive starters," 18 Oct. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crutch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for crutch
crutch
noun
English Language Learners Definition of crutch
: a long stick with a padded piece at the top that fits under a person's arm
usually disapproving
: something that a person uses too much for help or support
See the full definition for crutch in the English Language Learners Dictionary
crutch
noun
\ ˈkrəch
\
\
Kids Definition of crutch
1
: a long stick usually made with a piece at the top to fit under the armpit that is used as an aid in walking
2
: something that a person depends on to help deal with problems
The child uses his blanket as a crutch to feel more secure.
crutch
noun
\ ˈkrəch
\
\
Medical Definition of crutch
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a support typically fitting under the armpit for use as an aid in walking
2
: the crotch especially of an animal
crutch
transitive verbMedical Definition of crutch (Entry 2 of 2)
: to support on crutches
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