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

In a recent post in a Reddit thread dedicated to Greek tourism, one traveler expressed concern about taking a ferry from Piraeus to Naxos after reading numerous accounts of rough crossings. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

In 2025, the Miami Hurricanes didn’t leave the state of Florida until November before criss-crossing the country on their way to making the College Football Playoff National Championship Game back on their home field. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

That slow increase in border crossings became the event that Aybar thinks will mark a before and after in the history of Ceuta. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026

Newcomer Bazoumana Toure has also excited with his pace and crossing ability, so may force his way in on the left. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 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