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
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is set to undergo further testing on his throwing elbow following elbow soreness that wouldn't go away.
—Zach Pressnell, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
However, reunification in 1990 allowed Angela Merkel, the East German daughter of a protestant pastor, to enter politics and elbow both Schaeuble and Merz aside on her rise to become chancellor.
—Thomas Escritt, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
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Noun
Another outfielder, Michael A. Taylor, returned to the lineup Saturday after missing time with right elbow inflammation.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is set to undergo further testing on his throwing elbow following elbow soreness that wouldn't go away.
—Zach Pressnell, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
That wasn’t the case this time last year, as Cole succumbed to elbow inflammation midway through spring training in 2024.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
However, reunification in 1990 allowed Angela Merkel, the East German daughter of a protestant pastor, to enter politics and elbow both Schaeuble and Merz aside on her rise to become chancellor.
—Thomas Escritt, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 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 13 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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