crucifix

noun

cru·​ci·​fix ˈkrü-sə-ˌfiks How to pronounce crucifix (audio)
: a representation of Christ on the cross

Examples of crucifix in a Sentence

He wears a crucifix on a chain around his neck.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sequence continued with a poisonrana from Bandido, but Wayne ate it and planted Bandido with a crucifix driver. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 An Israeli soldier smashed a crucifix in a family garden and another stuck a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, where the military is fighting Hezbollah militants. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Every now and then, Jubin adjusts the small gold crucifix around his neck. — Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026 Serrano seems to have picked the crucifix as something whose significance would be somewhat ambiguous. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crucifix

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin crucifixus the crucified Christ, from crucifixus, past participle of crucifigere to crucify, from Latin cruc-, crux + figere to fasten — more at fix

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crucifix was in the 13th century

Rhymes for crucifix

See All Rhymes for crucifix

Browse Nearby Words

crucifier
crucifix
crucifix fish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crucifix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crucifix. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crucifix

noun
cru·​ci·​fix ˈkrü-sə-ˌfiks How to pronounce crucifix (audio)
: a cross with a figure of Jesus crucified on it
Etymology

Middle English crucifix "crucifix," from Latin crucifixus (same meaning), derived from earlier Latin crucifigere "to crucify," from cruc-, crux "cross" and figere "to fasten, fix" — related to cross, crucify, fix

More from Merriam-Webster on crucifix

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crucifix

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