across

1 of 3

preposition

ə-ˈkrȯs How to pronounce across (audio)
 chiefly dialectal  -ˈkrȯst
1
a
: from one side to the opposite side of : over, through
swam across the river
b
: on the opposite side of
lives across the street from us
2
: so as to intersect or pass through at an angle
sawed across the grain of the wood
3
: so as to find or meet
Researchers have come across important new evidence.
4
a
: throughout
… obvious interest across the nation.Robert Goralski
b
: so as to include or take into consideration all classes or categories

across

2 of 3

adverb

1
: in a position reaching from one side to the other : crosswise
cut the potato across into thin slices
2
: to or on the opposite side
The stream was small enough to jump across.
3
: so as to be understandable, acceptable, or successful
trying to get an argument across

across

3 of 3

adjective

: being in a crossed position
stood with her arms across

Examples of across in a Sentence

Preposition We took a ferry across the river. We saw them walking across the street. She reached across the table to shake his hand. They traveled back and forth across the border. Airplanes flew across the sky above us. He was seated across the table from me. The accident happened just across the state line. A smile spread across her face. Looking out across the ocean, he saw land. The sun's light spread across the mountains. Adverb The streams are small enough to jump across. They walked across to the other side of the street. They reached across and shook each other's hand. At its widest point, the pond measures 150 feet across. I saw them crossing the street and I waited until they were safely across.
Recent Examples on the Web
Preposition
The festival aims to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, positioning Los Angeles at the forefront for speakers across both industries. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024 Sports stocks weren’t positive across the board in September, however, with most sports team-owning enterprises slipping in the market. Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Adverb
The first one to get four in a row — up, down or across — will win an Axios Twin Cities tote bag. Nick Halter, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024 From the driver’s seat, her coworker updated Ashwini on their progress—a quarter of the way across, halfway—until, finally, Ashwini was in the clear. Longreads, 10 Sep. 2024
Adjective
From former Housewives including Dorinda Medley and Sonja Morgan, to Shanna Moakler and Jordyn Woods, stars from across industries have dabbled on the adult-only site. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 27 Aug. 2023 This is a hairstyle that was actually made for thinner, straight hair like Hailey’s, as the even-across cut keeps the hair from looking thinner and the straight hair looks sleek and simple. Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for across 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'across.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

derivative of across entry 2

Adverb

Middle English a-croiz, a-cros "in the shape of a cross, in a crossed position, from one side to another," borrowed from Anglo-French en croiz (from en "in, on"—going back to Latin in— + croiz "cross," going back to Latin cruc-, crux) with assimilation of Anglo-French croiz to cros cross entry 1 and en to a- a- entry 1 — more at in entry 1

Adjective

derivative of across entry 2

First Known Use

Preposition

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of across was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near across

Cite this Entry

“Across.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/across. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

across

1 of 2 adverb
1
: from one side to the other
boards sawed directly across
2
: to or on the opposite side
got across in a boat
3
: so as to be understandable or successful
get the message across

across

2 of 2 preposition
1
: to or on the opposite side of
across the street
2
: so as to cross or pass at an angle
lay one stick across another

More from Merriam-Webster on across

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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