crossbar

What it means

1. 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.

   Synonyms: stock

2. hobbiesThe top of the goal structure.

   The effervescent Suarez then went close again as he worked space for a shot after a mazy run but could not keep his close-range shot below the crossbar.

   2012 April 22, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0-1 West Brom”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms: bar

3. The top tube of a bicycle frame.

In a sentence

The effervescent Suarez then went close again as he worked space for a shot after a mazy run but could not keep his close-range shot below the crossbar.

2012 April 22, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0-1 West Brom”, in BBC Sport

Where it comes from

1. Middle Englishcrose bar
2. Englishcrossbar

From Middle English crose bar, equivalent to cross- + bar.