Crossroads: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this when referring to a place where two or more roads meet, especially in rural or less traffic-heavy areas. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate a critical decision point in someone's life.

• The small village is located at a quiet crossroads.
• She felt she was at a crossroads in her career.

Typically used for major road or rail connections where significant routes meet or diverge. It can also be applied in a metaphorical sense similar to 'crossroads'.

• Take the next left at the junction to get onto the highway.
• The city lies at the junction of two major rail lines.

This word is most suitable for urban settings where roads with significant traffic meet. It's a more technical term often used by city planners and in navigation.

• The traffic light at the intersection was broken, causing a major delay.
• There are several intersections on the way to your office.

This is used exclusively in a metaphorical sense to describe a moment or event that marks a significant change or development in someone's life or in a situation. It carries a sense of irreversible change.

• Graduating from college was a turning point in her life.
• The discovery of antibiotics was a turning point in medical history.

Use when talking about a critical decision point in life or an important turning point. Can also refer to a place where two main roads intersect, often in rural areas.

• She was at a crossroads in her career and had to make a choice.
• We met at the old crossroads outside of town.

Typically used to describe a place where people, vehicles, or trains can go across something like a road, river, or railway.

• Always wait for the green light before using the pedestrian crossing.
• The river crossing took longer than we expected.

Less commonly used but can refer to an intersection or a path that crosses another. Mostly used in more poetic or literary contexts.

• In the early morning light, they found themselves standing at an ancient crossway.

Commonly used in urban settings where streets or roads meet at a right angle. Often used in driving and traffic contexts.

• Turn left at the next intersection.
• There was a minor accident at the intersection of 5th and Main.