crosshair

noun

cross·​hair ˈkrȯs-ˌher How to pronounce crosshair (audio)
: a fine wire or thread in the focus of the eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a reference line in the field or for marking the instrumental axis
used figuratively to describe someone or something being targeted as if through an aiming device having crosshairs
… in the crosshairs this political seasonJ. H. Alter

Examples of crosshair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This has placed him in Trump's crosshairs and earned him a social media rant from the president on Tuesday. Meredith Kile, People.com, 22 July 2025 The White House has yet to release specific details on Trump's secondary tariffs, but his ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, said on Monday the top importers of Russian oil would be in the administration's crosshairs. Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 15 July 2025 And worst of all, two activist investors—Australia’s Brett Blundy, the company’s largest shareholder, and hedge fund Barrington Capital—have the retailer in their crosshairs, and have called for an overhaul of its board. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 28 June 2025 China, which found itself in the Trump administrations’ crosshairs for the larger part of this year, rose over 17% year-to-date. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for crosshair

Word History

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crosshair was in 1684

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Cite this Entry

“Crosshair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crosshair. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cross hair

noun
: one of the very thin wires or threads in the eyepiece of an optical instrument (as a microscope) used as a reference line
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