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

When the Red Army commander who killed his family (Stephen Lang from DON’T BREATHE) comes back hellbent on finishing the job, a relentless, eye-popping cross-country chase ensues – a fight to the death, full of clever, unbelievable action set pieces. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2025

Steele, as a longtime lover of roadside dive bars, truck stop diners and cross-country road trips, would know. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025

Noun

How Kansas helium gets to New York The helium, in liquid form, is loaded onto trucks at the Otis plant and driven cross-country to a Messer trans-fill facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025

Hike, walk, run, or bike in the warmer months, and when snow blankets the area, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing become popular picks. —Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

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