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
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 31 July 2025
The 29-year-old Alcantara won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 but missed last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery and has struggled this year, going 6-9 with a 6.36 ERA in 21 starts.
—John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Louise Schiavone, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
She was assessed a technical foul in the fourth quarter after elbowing Connecticut guard Haley Peters in the face.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
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Noun
Making just his seventh pitching appearance in his return from a second major elbow surgery, Ohtani exited the game alongside a trainer.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 31 July 2025
The 29-year-old Alcantara won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 but missed last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery and has struggled this year, going 6-9 with a 6.36 ERA in 21 starts.
—John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
Competitors are elbow to elbow in the Champagne region, among them Laurent-Perrier, Taittinger, Perrier-Jouët, Mumm, Louis Roederer, and more.
—Louise Schiavone, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
She was assessed a technical foul in the fourth quarter after elbowing Connecticut guard Haley Peters in the face.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 23 June 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 4 Aug. 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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