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

Winter activities abound with sledding, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and early-morning snowshoe meditation. —Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025

Based on a novel by your dad’s favorite author, David Baldacci, The Christmas Train follows cynical journalist Tom Langdon (Dermot Mulroney), who embarks on a cross-country train ride during the holidays and reconnects with his ex-girlfriend and editor, Eleanor (Kimberly Williams-Paisley). —Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Dec. 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