cross·over
ˈkrȯs-ˌō-vər 
2
: an instance or product of genetic crossing-over
3
: a voter registered as a member of one political party who votes in the primary of the other party
4
: a broadening of the popular appeal of an artist (such as a musician) that is often the result of a change of the artist's medium or style
also
: an artist or artistic work that has achieved a crossover
5
: an instance of breaking into another category
6
: a basketball maneuver in which a player dribbles the ball quickly from one hand to the other
7
or crossover SUV
: an automotive vehicle that is similar to a sport utility vehicle but built on a car chassis : cuv
What makes crossovers attractive is that most combine the look of an SUV with the more civilized driving characteristics of a car.—
Jonathan Welch
Jonathan Welch1
: having two pieces that cross especially one over the other
a crossover vest
2
: critical sense 2
the crossover point
crossed over; crossing over; crosses over
: to reach a broader audience by a change of medium or style
a country singer crossing over to the pop charts
Examples of crossover in a Sentence
Noun
The actor made a smooth crossover to politics.
a rock musician's crossovers into jazz and soul music
Recent Examples on the WebSteven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
From its handsomely owl-like face to its taut haunches and raked rear roofline, this compact crossover looks quick standing still.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 3 May 2024
With all that in mind, jokes about Gyllenhaal and Carpenter’s crossover have been aplenty since SNL unveiled its season-ending lineup.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 May 2024
In a fun crossover, the 85-year-old Majors and the 66-year-old Thomas make a cameo at the end of the film, popping up in a post-credits scene.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 3 May 2024
The crossover is deep-rooted — and León acknowledging it in a big way.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2024
In recent years, ‘80s pop metal crossover acts such as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi have been inducted over heavier bands like Iron Maiden.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
For Tesla, the loss of revenue is bad news as the crossover accounts for two-thirds of all car sales.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024
There was a time not that long ago when this crossover cohort would have been fairly common.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Justin L. MacK, The Indianapolis Star, 24 May 2020
Kingdom Hearts is a wildly popular series featuring a crossover world of Square Enix and Disney characters.
—Thuy Ong, Bloomberg.com, 19 May 2020
Its crossover success was among the watershed moments in the commercial potential of rock ’n’ roll.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2020
Cooper, an eight-time All-Defensive Team selection, had little answer for Floyd’s mix of spin moves, crossover dribbles and floaters.
—Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, 8 May 2020
Until the End of the World should have been a commercial crossover success, but instead it was cut too short to relay its intended meaning and still didn't find a wide audience.
—Eric Adams, Wired, 21 Apr. 2020
Nelson and Reilly are also credited with playing key roles in landing YouTube star KSI his first top 10 single in November, and the crossover success of classical pop singers Aled Jones and Russell Watson.
—Richard Smirke, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2020
The Great British Baking Show has become a crossover success, with American audiences falling in love with the series due to repeat airings on PBS and Netflix.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 16 Jan. 2020
Her music resonated with both New Mexico music and Tejano audiences, with crossover success in both fields, but music outlets in the broader industry did not fully grasp the extent of her successful career within New Mexico music.
—Mario J. Lucero, Quartz, 3 Jan. 2020
Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 2 May 2024
The site crosses over both Yuma Road and Jackrabbit Trail.
—Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024
Alliances would be a way for the company to cross over into social media without actually becoming social media.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Federal and state leaders are in talks about plans to rebuild the bridge, which had over 11 million vehicles cross over it annually, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
—Emi Tuyetnhi Tran, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Trump's eclipse experience lit up internet in 2017 Seven years ago, when the last total solar eclipse crossed over North America, a photo of then-President Donald Trump seemingly gazing at the sun with his naked eyes set the internet ablaze.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
As the vehicle approached its destination, crossing over New Mexico into Texas, the orbiter began to disintegrate — visibly shedding chunks of debris.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse will cross over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
The 2024 total solar eclipse will be on Monday, April 8, crossing over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Irving hit him with his signature crossover that had Tucker trying to regain his balance only for Irving to pull up and hit a leaning 3-pointer from the corner while being fouled.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2024
From its handsomely owl-like face to its taut haunches and raked rear roofline, this compact crossover looks quick standing still.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 3 May 2024
With all that in mind, jokes about Gyllenhaal and Carpenter’s crossover have been aplenty since SNL unveiled its season-ending lineup.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 May 2024
In a fun crossover, the 85-year-old Majors and the 66-year-old Thomas make a cameo at the end of the film, popping up in a post-credits scene.
—Devan Coggan, EW.com, 3 May 2024
The crossover is deep-rooted — and León acknowledging it in a big way.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 2 May 2024
In recent years, ‘80s pop metal crossover acts such as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi have been inducted over heavier bands like Iron Maiden.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
For Tesla, the loss of revenue is bad news as the crossover accounts for two-thirds of all car sales.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024
There was a time not that long ago when this crossover cohort would have been fairly common.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Police believe an eastbound semi was doing a U-turn through the crossover because of a closure caused by the earlier crash.
—Justin L. MacK, The Indianapolis Star, 24 May 2020
Kingdom Hearts is a wildly popular series featuring a crossover world of Square Enix and Disney characters.
—Thuy Ong, Bloomberg.com, 19 May 2020
Its crossover success was among the watershed moments in the commercial potential of rock ’n’ roll.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2020
Cooper, an eight-time All-Defensive Team selection, had little answer for Floyd’s mix of spin moves, crossover dribbles and floaters.
—Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, 8 May 2020
Until the End of the World should have been a commercial crossover success, but instead it was cut too short to relay its intended meaning and still didn't find a wide audience.
—Eric Adams, Wired, 21 Apr. 2020
Nelson and Reilly are also credited with playing key roles in landing YouTube star KSI his first top 10 single in November, and the crossover success of classical pop singers Aled Jones and Russell Watson.
—Richard Smirke, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2020
The Great British Baking Show has become a crossover success, with American audiences falling in love with the series due to repeat airings on PBS and Netflix.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 16 Jan. 2020
Her music resonated with both New Mexico music and Tejano audiences, with crossover success in both fields, but music outlets in the broader industry did not fully grasp the extent of her successful career within New Mexico music.
—Mario J. Lucero, Quartz, 3 Jan. 2020
Verb
Although the impulse crosses over to the opposite side, some of the stimulus stays on the original side.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 2 May 2024
The site crosses over both Yuma Road and Jackrabbit Trail.
—Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024
Alliances would be a way for the company to cross over into social media without actually becoming social media.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
Federal and state leaders are in talks about plans to rebuild the bridge, which had over 11 million vehicles cross over it annually, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
—Emi Tuyetnhi Tran, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Trump's eclipse experience lit up internet in 2017 Seven years ago, when the last total solar eclipse crossed over North America, a photo of then-President Donald Trump seemingly gazing at the sun with his naked eyes set the internet ablaze.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
As the vehicle approached its destination, crossing over New Mexico into Texas, the orbiter began to disintegrate — visibly shedding chunks of debris.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse will cross over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
The 2024 total solar eclipse will be on Monday, April 8, crossing over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crossover.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near crossover
Cite this Entry
“Crossover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossover. Accessed 9 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
crossover
1 of 2 noun
cross·over
ˈkrȯ-ˌsō-vər
1
: an instance or product of genetic crossing-over
2
: a crossover interchange in an experiment
crossover
2 of 2 adjective
: involving or using interchange of the control group and the experimental group during the course of an experiment
a double-blind crossover study
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