What does crosswalk mean?
A crosswalk is a designated section of a road, usually marked with painted white stripes or parallel lines, where pedestrians are permitted—and often legally required—to cross from one side to the other. Found at intersections and mid-block locations alike, crosswalks exist to give people on foot a predictable, visible, and safer path across traffic. Drivers are generally expected to yield to pedestrians within a marked crosswalk, and many jurisdictions impose fines for failing to do so. The term is standard in American English; in British English, equivalent terms such as 'zebra crossing' or 'pelican crossing' are more common, though 'crosswalk' is understood internationally, especially in contexts influenced by US usage. Related vocabulary includes 'jaywalking'—the act of crossing outside a designated crosswalk—which highlights just how embedded this simple piece of street furniture has become in traffic law, urban planning, and everyday pedestrian safety around the world.
nounA designated place on a road, marked with painted stripes or other markings, where pedestrians may legally cross from one side to the other.
- A marked area on a road where pedestrians have the right of way to cross.
"The children waited patiently at the crosswalk until the signal changed."
"Always use the crosswalk when crossing a busy street."
"The city installed a new illuminated crosswalk near the school."
Standard plural form; used when referring to multiple crossings.
"The council repainted all the faded crosswalks downtown."
The striped pattern of a modern crosswalk was inspired by zebra crossings introduced in Britain in 1949 — and they really do get their popular name from resembling a zebra's stripes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crosswalk
The word 'crosswalk' is formed by compounding two English elements: 'cross,' from the Old English 'cros,' ultimately derived via Old Norse 'kross' from Latin 'crux' meaning a stake or cross-shaped structure, and 'walk,' from Old English 'wealcan,' meaning to roll or move about. As a compound, 'crosswalk' emerged in American English in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, coinciding with the rise of motor traffic and the need to formalise pedestrian rights of way. It shares its first element with related compounds such as 'crossing,' 'crossways,' and 'crosstown.'
How crosswalk is actually used
In British English, 'zebra crossing' and simply 'crossing' are far more common than 'crosswalk,' which is primarily American. The term carries no strong connotation and is neutral in register.
Easily confused with crosswalk
To jaywalk is to cross the street illegally or carelessly, typically outside of a marked crosswalk, whereas a crosswalk is the safe, designated crossing point itself.
A crossroads (plural form: crossroads) refers to the intersection where two roads meet, while a crosswalk is a pedestrian crossing path on any road.
A footpath is an entire route for walking, often separate from roads, whereas a crosswalk is specifically the short marked section for pedestrians to cross a roadway.