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

Seattle’s brain trust visited Columbus, Ohio, as part of a cross-country tour to meet with all the top quarterback prospects. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

In reality, Pepper-Jackson’s lawyers said, the law enacted in 2021 banned exactly one transgender girl – who hadn’t experienced typical male puberty − from participating on her school’s cross-country and track and field teams. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026

Noun

In middle school, Becky participated in cross-country as a sixth-grader and described herself as slow. —Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026

For a different kind of nature experience, the Mukwonago River Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest provides hiking and fishing in summer, plus winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. —Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 13 Jan. 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