A crossword is a word puzzle in which a grid of white and black squares must be filled with letters to form words or phrases, guided by textual clues. Its parameters: (1) grid geometry — a rectangular lattice of white (fillable) and black (blocked) cells; (2) clue system — numbered clues mapped to across and down entries, each describing the answer through definition, synonym, or wordplay; (3) symmetry — standard crosswords enforce 180-degree rotational symmetry in the black-cell pattern. Persistence mechanism: printed on paper or published digitally, maintained through puzzle collections and databases of valid word entries and clue answers. [formal: crossword | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.02]
Accepted ontology entry
crossword
A crossword is a word puzzle in which a grid of white and black squares must be filled with letters to form words or phrases, guided by textual clues. Its parameters: (1) grid geometry — a rectangular lattice of white (fillable) and black…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made word puzzle consisting of a grid of black and white squares where players fill white squares with words that match interlocking horizontal and vertical clues. Designed as entertainment and education, it persists as printed puzzles, digital games, and competitive sport.
Names and aliases
- crossworden · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrg6592d00ns2a1n78okbin4INSTANCE_OF →
A crossword IS a specific kind of game — a word-based game where players fill a grid with words based on clues. Law 9: specific→general. A competent speaker would call a crossword 'a game' (or word game). Nearest available kind since 'puzzle' and 'word-game' don't exist.
- cmrc69n4x00eza9g48tcwqd5lSERVES →
Crosswords are designed and used as educational tools — they build vocabulary, reinforce spelling, and develop problem-solving skills. The purpose of crosswords is to serve education.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 28, 2026, 11:44 PM UTC
- Content hash
- c0a6ded2ab42ee73fc99aa46d1a6e08b6d3d22ced9a5cfe66aa090dbcda98789