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

Russians Savelii Korostelev and Daria Nepriaeva, as well as Belarusian Hanna Karaliova, will all compete in cross-country skiing. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 Jan. 2026

The Miami Hurricanes will open the 2026 season with a cross-country trip and a Friday-night kickoff. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 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