cross-country

1 of 2

adjective

cross-coun·​try ˈkrȯs-ˈkən-trē 

-ˌkən-

1

: extending or moving across a country

a cross-country concert tour

2

: proceeding over countryside (as across fields and through woods) and not by roads

3

: of or relating to racing or skiing over the countryside instead of over a track or run

cross-country adverb

cross-country

2 of 2

noun

: cross-country racing or skiing

Examples of cross-country in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But for right now, somewhere in Jackson, Michigan, a high school cross-country coach is the L.A. Marathon champion, and there’s a clip going around that belongs on every pre-race playlist ever made. —Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026

Oksana Masters of Team USA celebrates during the medal ceremony for the Para cross-country skiing women's sprint sitting at the Paralympics, March 10, 2026, in Val di Fiemme, Italy. —CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

Noun

Perhaps the best encapsulation of that is Masters' second gold medal of these Games, in the women's cross-country sprint race. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026

Within roughly an hour, Hennig had Brink on a cross-country flight and had made arrangements for Brink to be shuttled from the Las Vegas airport to the team’s hotel. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cross-country

• backcountry
• countrie
• country
• intercountry

Kids Definition

cross-country

1 of 2 adjective

cross-coun·​try

ˈkrȯ-ˈskən-trē

1

: extending or moving across a country

a cross-country railroad

a cross-country concert tour

2

: going over the countryside rather than by roads

3

: dealing with or being racing or skiing over the countryside instead of over a track or run

cross-country adverb

cross-country

2 of 2 noun

: cross-country skiing or racing