cross-country

1 of 2

adjective

cross-coun·​try ˈkrȯs-ˈkən-trē How to pronounce cross-country (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Their journey takes a detour when her mom turns out to be a foul-mouthed truck driver, launching the trio into a cross-country odyssey filled with eccentric encounters, outrageous mishaps, and unexpected emotional revelations. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025 Of course as their cross-country road trip progresses and Felice racks up first-round-loss after first-round-loss, Gatti’s louche lifestyle is revealed to have a darker, more depressive aspect. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cross-country

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cross-country was in 1767

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Cite this Entry

“Cross-country.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-country. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on cross-country

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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