CROSSPIECE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does crosspiece mean? 

• CROSSPIECE (noun)
  The noun CROSSPIECE has 2 senses:

1. a horizontal beam that extends across something

2. a transverse brace

  Familiarity information: CROSSPIECE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CROSSPIECE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A horizontal beam that extends across something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

crossbeam; crosspiece; trave; traverse

Hypernyms ("crosspiece" is a kind of...):

beam (long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A transverse brace

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("crosspiece" is a kind of...):

brace; bracing (a structural member used to stiffen a framework)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "crosspiece"):

crossbar (long thin horizontal crosspiece between two vertical posts)

rundle; rung; spoke (one of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder)

round; rung; stave (a crosspiece between the legs of a chair)

cross thwart; thwart (a crosspiece spreading the gunnels of a boat; used as a seat in a rowboat)

transom; traverse (a horizontal crosspiece across a window or separating a door from a window over it)

 Context examples 

In and out through the open woodwork was woven a crimson cord, which was secured at each side to the crosspiece below.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)