elbow

[ˈɛl.bəʊ]

[ˈɛl.boʊ]

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elbowing - elbow

An elbow is the joint in your arm where it bends.

When we talk about elbows, we usually mean the crook of our arm, but sometimes we use the word more broadly. For example, if you're playing a sport like basketball or tennis, you might be asked to "elbow" someone, which means to push them with your elbow to get past them or block their shot. This isn't just about physical contact - it's also a clever way of saying that you used strategy and quick thinking to outmaneuver the other player. In some situations, like when we're talking about construction or building something, an elbow can refer to a joint in a pipe or a fitting where two parts come together. But most often, our elbows are just the bendy part of our arm that lets us move and swing around with ease.

How common is "elbow"?

Word elbow is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

noun

The joint between the upper arm and the forearm.
(by extension) Any turn or bend like that of the elbow, in a wall, building, coastline, etc.; an angular or jointed part of any structure, such as the raised arm of a chair or sofa, or a short pipe fitting, turning at an angle or bent.
Example: the sides of windows, where the jamb makes an elbow with the window back
A detective.
Part of a basketball court located at the intersection of the free-throw line and the free-throw lane.
A hit with the elbow.

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verb

To push with the elbow.
Example: He elbowed his way through the crowd.
(by extension) To nudge, jostle or push.

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Real examples of "elbowing" in context

Elizabeth Olsen Feels Brave While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones

Interview

And it was in Jessica Chastain was like, like elbowing in and like got like got in the security guy's face and like other security guys came.

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