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

For a time growing up, Gu aspired to join the cross-country team at Stanford, but her skiing talent won out. —Sean Gregory, Time, 22 Jan. 2026

This will be the fourth and final Olympics for cross-country skier Jessie Diggins, a three-time Olympic medalist, including gold in the team sprint in 2018, who plans to retire at the end of the season. —Pat Graham, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026

Noun

Para-athletes will compete in 79 medal events across six sports, including para alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboarding and wheelchair curling. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026

Skimo combines elements of cross-country skiing, climbing and downhill, with competitors racing through a course to achieve the best time. —Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 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