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
Synonyms
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
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Traditional mac and cheese is made with elbows, but Tini's suggestion of using cavatappi takes this recipe totally over the top.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2024
Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Unlike Frieze’s reconfigured layout, which elbowed the mega-galleries to the back of the tent and gave the small and midsize operations more exposure at the front, the big galleries are given the limelight in Paris.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elbow 
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Noun
During the season, though, Yamamoto missed several months because of a shoulder injury and Glasnow was lost late in the year to an elbow injury as the rotation crumbled, leaving the team with just three healthy starters — including trade-deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty — entering the playoffs.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Traditional mac and cheese is made with elbows, but Tini's suggestion of using cavatappi takes this recipe totally over the top.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
Advertisement After elbowing their way out of the state’s first competitive Senate primary in a generation, Schiff and Garvey have faced off in a race that hasn’t been much of one at all.
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Unlike Frieze’s reconfigured layout, which elbowed the mega-galleries to the back of the tent and gave the small and midsize operations more exposure at the front, the big galleries are given the limelight in Paris.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elbow
Dictionary Entries Near elbow
Cite this Entry
“Elbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elbow. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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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