crossing

noun

cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ 

1

: the act or action of crossing: such as

a

: a traversing or traveling across

b

: an opposing, blocking, or thwarting especially in an unfair or dishonest manner

2

a

: a place or structure (as on a street or over a river) where pedestrians or vehicles cross

especially : crosswalk

b

: the place in a cruciform church where the transept crosses the nave

c

: a place where a railroad track crosses a street

Synonyms of crossing

• voyage
• cruise

Examples of crossing in a Sentence

Stop at the railroad crossing.

a crossing for ferry boats

the crossing of a mountain range

a weeklong crossing of the Atlantic Ocean

Recent Examples on the Web

The wall is under heavy scrutiny for the billions of dollars being dedicated to it when border crossings are at their lowest in decades. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

This tally includes only observed transits, and figures may change as more dark crossings — made without transponders switched on — are verified. — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Despite their tenure, they’re not forecast to totally shut down until 2064, when the younger crossing is almost 90 years old. — Mark Dee july 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026

In recent weeks, Ukrainian drones have targeted supply routes for Russian troops, railroad bridges, ferry crossings and oil refineries. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crossing

• crossing guard
• crossing-over
• grade crossing
• level crossing
• pedestrian crossing
• pelican crossing
• railroad crossing
• zebra crossing

Rhymes for crossing

• bossing
• glossing
• tossing
• crisscrossing
• embossing
• outcrossing
• recrossing

Kids Definition

crossing

noun

cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ 

1

a

: the act of one that crosses

b

: a voyage across water

c

: the act or process of interbreeding or hybridizing

2

: a place where a street or stream is crossed

3

: a place where two things (as a street and a railroad track) cross