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
Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Beck, a right hander, will begin throwing on Monday after elbow surgery, Cristobal said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
Everyone else in the cast, among them Kathryn Hahn as a marketing exec and Ike Barinholtz as Matt's righthand man (who wanted his job), races alongside Rogen, screaming, gushing, swearing, competing, elbowing, arguing.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow
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Noun
Steele will undergo season-ending surgery Friday to repair the flexor tendon in his elbow and address the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), manager Craig Counsell announced yesterday.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Beck, a right hander, will begin throwing on Monday after elbow surgery, Cristobal said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Braves have reinforcements coming, too, with catcher Sean Murphy (rib) expected back Tuesday, ace Spencer Strider (elbow surgery recovery) not far behind him, and do-it-all superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. (knee surgery recovery) on track to debut next month.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
Everyone else in the cast, among them Kathryn Hahn as a marketing exec and Ike Barinholtz as Matt's righthand man (who wanted his job), races alongside Rogen, screaming, gushing, swearing, competing, elbowing, arguing.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 26 Mar. 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 18 Apr. 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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