cross-ref·er·ence
ˈkrȯs-ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s 
-ˈre-fərn(t)s
: a notation or direction at one place (as in a book or filing system) to pertinent information at another place
cross-referenced; cross-referencing; cross-references
1
: to supply with cross-references
cross-reference a book
2
: to research, verify, or organize by means of cross-references
cross-reference information
Examples of cross-reference in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Investigators are working with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the state crime lab to process evidence and cross-reference incidents across jurisdictions.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 Nov. 2025
The coroner has worked since 2015 to unify criteria and establish a legal mechanism through which forensic doctors can cross-reference data on missing persons and bodies that are discovered.
—Okba Mohammad & Anna Surinyach, The Dial, 11 Nov. 2025
Researchers cross-reference submissions with prewar lists and historical events, sometimes requesting additional documentation before accepting a record.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
To find their targets in person, the agents cross-reference names on their lists with dockets posted outside courtrooms.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Researchers cross-reference submissions with prewar lists and historical events, sometimes requesting additional documentation before accepting a record.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
The system then cross-references the license plate with national and local law enforcement databases.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Authorities are continuing to investigate to corroborate Valencia’s partner’s account, reviewing surveillance footage and cell phone data, and cross-referencing his narrative with the wounds on her body, per local reports.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Some even cross-reference leaked Salesforce data with information from previous breaches to build disturbingly complete profiles of their victims.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Tennessean cross-referenced the photo and found it was posted numerous times across multiple social media platforms, not connected to Bushart going back to 2024.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Oct. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
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Noun
To find their targets in person, the agents cross-reference names on their lists with dockets posted outside courtrooms.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Investigators are working with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the state crime lab to process evidence and cross-reference incidents across jurisdictions.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 Nov. 2025
The coroner has worked since 2015 to unify criteria and establish a legal mechanism through which forensic doctors can cross-reference data on missing persons and bodies that are discovered.
—Okba Mohammad & Anna Surinyach, The Dial, 11 Nov. 2025
Researchers cross-reference submissions with prewar lists and historical events, sometimes requesting additional documentation before accepting a record.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
But fewer than 25,000 pairs of Nike sneakers in black and gray with a distinctive yellow logo worn by the bomber in video footage were sold, yielding a list of just 1,200 buyers to cross-reference with phone data.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
To find their targets in person, the agents cross-reference names on their lists with dockets posted outside courtrooms.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Researchers cross-reference submissions with prewar lists and historical events, sometimes requesting additional documentation before accepting a record.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
The system then cross-references the license plate with national and local law enforcement databases.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Authorities are continuing to investigate to corroborate Valencia’s partner’s account, reviewing surveillance footage and cell phone data, and cross-referencing his narrative with the wounds on her body, per local reports.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Some even cross-reference leaked Salesforce data with information from previous breaches to build disturbingly complete profiles of their victims.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Tennessean cross-referenced the photo and found it was posted numerous times across multiple social media platforms, not connected to Bushart going back to 2024.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Oct. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cross-reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-reference. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
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