# crossbar vs crossbow

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### crossbar
*noun · IPA /ˈkɹ̠ɑs.bɑɹ/ · frequency rank #37,407*
Any transverse bar or piece, such as a bar across a door, or the iron bar or stock which passes through the shank of an anchor.

### crossbow
*noun · IPA /ˈkɹɒsbəʊ/ · frequency rank #27,107*
A mechanised weapon, based on the bow and arrow, that shoots bolts.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crossbar-vs-crossbow