crosswalk

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'crosswalk' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a zebra crossing, or a pedestrian crossing. Example sentence: The children were very careful when they crossed the crosswalk.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes I put the drab colleague in the crosswalk, too, and run all three of them down.

The New Yorker

Last New Year's Eve, an Uber driver named Syed Muzaffar was driving his car in San Francisco while logged into Uber's app for drivers when he struck and killed a six-year-old girl who was in a crosswalk with her mother and brother.

The New Yorker

Once, as I came stomping to a crosswalk, a woman on the passenger side of a big car waiting at the light rolled her window partway down and appeared to give me a nervous wave.

The New Yorker

had on hand 20,208 picks, 11,080 scoop shovels, 14626, pan scrapers, 48 rotary snow brooms, 180 flusher trucks (for plowing), 552 crosswalk plows, 115 salt spreaders, 40 wreckers, 1385 trucks for plowing & collecting, & 178 pieces of snow-loading apparatus.

The New Yorker

If you were crossing the street and missed the crosswalk by a foot, he'd give you a ticket for jaywalking.

The New Yorker

"You know how many women I've saved?" he says, after coaxing a woman back from the crosswalk toward the safety of the curb.

The New Yorker

To designate a horizontal space corresponding to the floor of the gallery, Irwin decided to paint the square formed by the inside crosswalk lines at the intersection of 42 St .& 5th Ave .with blacktrop sealer.

The New Yorker

What I see on my runs in Central Park, though, could fairly be termed aggression: bicyclists speeding through red lights, scattering those in the crosswalk and leaving the rest of the pedestrians bewildered and cowering on the curb.

The New Yorker

But the "lens" on the encounter in a crosswalk between a Christmas tree and an empty shopping cart (a tidy image of economic dissonance) is Mercer.

The New Yorker

In their double stroller, Victor yanked off his brother's fleece cap and threw it into a crosswalk buzzing with mopeds and stilettos.

The New Yorker

I observed the vehicle go through a marked stop sign approximately ten feet before the crosswalk and proceeded to pull the motorist over".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about road safety, use "crosswalk" to clearly indicate a designated area for pedestrians to cross the street. This avoids ambiguity and promotes clarity in safety instructions or reports.

Common error

Don't assume that pedestrians always have the right-of-way, even in a "crosswalk". Local laws often dictate specific rules about when pedestrians can safely enter the "crosswalk" and when they must yield to vehicles. Always check local regulations for precise details.

Linguistic Context

The word "crosswalk" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a designated area for pedestrians to cross a street. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing it refers to a marked or designated pedestrian crossing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "crosswalk" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe a designated area for pedestrians to cross a street. As noted by Ludwig, it primarily functions as a noun. Its usage is widespread in News & Media, making it a neutral term suitable for various contexts. When writing about "crosswalks", remember that while they indicate a place for pedestrians to cross, local laws determine the specific right-of-way rules. Synonyms include "pedestrian crossing" and "zebra crossing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pedestrian crossing

A direct synonym, commonly used and virtually interchangeable.

zebra crossing

Another term for a marked pedestrian crossing, particularly common in British English.

marked crossing

Emphasizes the presence of markings that define the crossing area.

street crossing

A general term for crossing a street, not necessarily at a designated point.

pedestrian lane

Focuses on the designated path for pedestrians.

safe passage

Highlights the aspect of ensuring pedestrian safety while crossing.

crossing point

A neutral term indicating a place where one can cross.

designated walkway

Highlights the official designation of the area for walking.

traffic lane for pedestrians

Rephrases the term from the perspective of traffic flow.

pedestrian zone

A zone dedicated to pedestrians, not specifically the crossing itself.

FAQs

How do you use "crosswalk" in a sentence?

You can use "crosswalk" to describe a designated place for pedestrians to cross a street safely. For example: "The children used the "crosswalk" to get to the park".

What is another word for "crosswalk"?

Synonyms for "crosswalk" include "pedestrian crossing" and "zebra crossing", depending on the context and region.

Is it always safe to cross at a "crosswalk"?

While "crosswalks" are designed for pedestrian safety, it is crucial to remain vigilant and ensure that traffic has stopped before stepping into the street. Never assume drivers will automatically yield.

What are the rules for drivers approaching a "crosswalk"?

Drivers should always be prepared to stop for pedestrians in a "crosswalk", and must yield if a pedestrian is already in the crossing. Specific regulations may vary by location.