crossbar

Everyday

1. A crossbar is a bar that goes across between two upright posts, such as the top bar of a goal in football or hockey. tree →
2. A crossbar is also the bar between the seat and the handlebars of a bicycle. tree →
3. In sports like the high jump or pole vault, the crossbar is the bar the jumper must go over. tree →

In the lessons

In sport the ball «hits the crossbar» when it nearly goes in. In PE the high jump bar is the crossbar. On bikes children sometimes ride on a friend's crossbar, which is not safe. Phrases: hit the crossbar, over the crossbar, off the crossbar.

Examples

• The ball hit the crossbar and bounced out. tree →
• She jumped cleanly over the crossbar. tree →
• His shot went over the crossbar. tree →
• My bike has a low crossbar so I can get on easily. tree →
• Never give a friend a ride on your crossbar. tree →
• The rugby ball must go over the crossbar to score. tree →

Note

Countable: a crossbar, crossbars. One word. Not the same as a «post» (the upright sides of a goal).