Crosswalk: meaning, definitions and examples
🚶♂️
crosswalk
[ ˈkrɔsˌwɔk ]
traffic safety
A crosswalk is a designated area on a roadway where pedestrians can cross. It is typically marked by painted lines and may have accompanying signals to indicate when it is safe to walk. Crosswalks are important for pedestrian safety and help manage the interaction between vehicles and those on foot. They can be found at intersections and other locations that require pedestrian access across roads.
Synonyms
crossing, pedestrian crossing, walkway.
Examples of usage
- Always look both ways before crossing at the crosswalk.
- The new crosswalk reduced accidents at the busy intersection.
- Children are taught to use the crosswalk for their safety.
Translations
Translations of the word "crosswalk" in other languages:
🇵🇹 faixa de pedestres
🇮🇳 क्रॉसवाक
🇩🇪 Zebrastreifen
🇮🇩 zebra penyeberangan
🇺🇦 пішохідний перехід
🇵🇱 przejście dla pieszych
🇯🇵 横断歩道
🇫🇷 passage piéton
🇪🇸 paso de peatones
🇹🇷 yaya geçidi
🇰🇷 횡단보도
🇸🇦 ممر المشاة
🇨🇿 přechod pro chodce
🇸🇰 prechod pre chodcov
🇨🇳 人行横道
🇸🇮 pešpoti
🇮🇸 fótgangandi
🇰🇿 жаяу жүргіншілер өткелі
🇬🇪 ქვეითად მოსასვლელი
🇦🇿 piyada keçidi
🇲🇽 paso peatonal
Etymology
The term 'crosswalk' originated in the mid-20th century, combining the word 'cross', which comes from the Old English 'cros', meaning 'a mark of intersection', and 'walk', derived from the Old English 'weccan', meaning 'to move on foot'. As cities began to grow and pedestrian traffic increased, the need for safer crossings at streets became apparent. The introduction of crosswalks symbolized the recognition of pedestrian rights and the importance of traffic safety. Before the use of standardized crosswalks, pedestrians often crossed streets without any designated areas, leading to numerous accidents and fatalities. The establishment of traffic laws in the 1920s and 1930s further solidified the concept of crosswalks, making them a critical component of city infrastructure aimed at protecting pedestrians.