elbow
noun
el·bow
| \ ˈel-ˌbō
\
\
Definition of elbow
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
at one's elbow
out at elbows
or out at the elbows
: at one's side
1
: shabbily dressed
2
: short of funds
elbow
verb
elbowed;
elbowing;
elbows
Definition of elbow (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for elbow
Synonyms: Verb
bore, bull, bulldoze, crash, jam, jostle, muscle, press, push, shoulder, squeeze
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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
And yet, with the exception of the occasional sharp elbow, there's been little discussion of it so far in this campaign. — Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, "Who Won the Democratic Debate?: raceAhead," 1 Aug. 2019 Authorities said the man, who was hit in the elbow, was in good condition and recovering at a hospital. — Reis Thebault, Washington Post, "Former GOP candidate shot a process server, then threatened ‘large amounts of deaths,’ police say," 1 Aug. 2019 Stone is a congenital bilateral above-the-elbow amputee. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Women’s Super Girl Surf Pro returns to Oceanside with first adaptive contest," 27 July 2019 The problem is, while three other players were incorporated into that Porzingis deal to clear the decks, Arsenal still remain up to their elbows in dreadful, near-immovable contracts. — SI.com, "Washed: How Arsenal & the New York Knicks Became the Laughing Stocks of Their Player Markets," 16 July 2019 With a big smile on her face, the nun began things by throwing the ball back to her elbow, and bouncing it back into her hand. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Who Is the Nun at the 2019 ESPY Awards? Meet Viral Baseball Fan Sister Mary Jo Sobieck," 10 July 2019 An extra-long oven mitt that provides protection up to the elbow, making baking and grilling safer? — Erik Lacitis, The Seattle Times, "Financial miscues, loss of donations doom Seattle-based Sight Connections nonprofit for the blind," 21 June 2019 Meanwhile, the stabbing victim underwent surgery that left a scar on the underside of his left arm from his wrist to his elbow, police said. — Jesse Leavenworth, courant.com, "Manchester Police Arrest Man In Stabbing Last Summer Outside Movie Theater," 22 May 2018 On a recent evening, the chef Mako Okano stood behind the counter at Shabu Shabu Macoron, on the Lower East Side, looking a little like Rosie the Riveter: bandanna knotted around her head, the sleeves of her denim kimono rolled up to her elbows. — Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, "An All-Women Staff Serves Japanese-Hotpot Omakase at Shabu Shabu Macoron," 11 May 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Up close, retirement-eligible shoppers elbow one another while pawing through the heap of vegetables, searching for some magical mystery cucumber. — Jamie Feldmar, Los Angeles Times, "Super King is L.A.’s most beloved international supermarket — and the customers are fiercely loyal," 14 Aug. 2019 According to the statement of charges, Seal allegedly elbowed a woman in her face about four times. — Akira Kyles, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Westminster man charged with assault after allegedly hitting woman in face," 24 July 2019 Buy Photo After a cruelly endless spell of winter that elbowed its way through March and most of April, the atmosphere this week evidently decided to skip over May and try a new season. — Anthony R. Wood, Philly.com, "Suddenly it's summer; Philly sets record with high of 91. But spring is coming, honest," 3 May 2018 Injured right-handers Luke Weaver (elbow) and Taijuan Walker (shoulder) each continued their throwing programs on Saturday at Chase Field and are progressing well, per Lovullo. — Richard Morin, azcentral, "Former Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin a stranger at Chase Field with visiting Nationals," 31 July 2019 Now, Surescripts—which, critically, is backed by massive legacy firms such as CVS and the benefits giant Express Scripts, which aren't exactly fans of Amazon elbowing in to their territory—has cut off both ReMy Health and, by extension, PillPack. — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "Surescripts Throws Down the Gauntlet in Amazon PillPack Spat: Brainstorm Health," 29 July 2019 Fortunately for the point guards, no opponent’s elbow left a mark. — Joan Niesen, SI.com, "Meet the Vanderquigs: How the Chicago Sky Stars Make Their Unique Relationship Work," 25 July 2019 Then minutes later the 6-foot-5 Ibrahimovic, tracking a high ball, twice glanced toward the 5-10 El-Munir, then struck him in the side of the head with his forearm or elbow while making little effort to actually reach the ball. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, "Soccer! There’s a Revolution going on in New England," 23 July 2019 The biggest change to the back seven is the return from injury of veteran CB Jace Whittaker, who missed all but one series last season because of hamstring and elbow issues. — oregonlive.com, "Oregon opponent early scouting report: Arizona," 19 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elbow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for elbow
elbow
noun
English Language Learners Definition of elbow
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the joint where your arm bends
: the part of a piece of clothing that covers the elbow
: something (such as a pipe or a piece of food) that is bent like an elbow
elbow
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of elbow (Entry 2 of 2)
: to push or shove (someone) with your elbow
See the full definition for elbow in the English Language Learners Dictionary
elbow
noun
el·bow
| \ ˈel-ˌbō
\
\