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

Best Early Fourth of July Travel Deals Summer travel season is officially here, and Amazon’s early July 4 deals include practical finds for weekend road trips, cross-country flights, and bucket-list vacations. — Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026

Known for traversing the comedy club scene throughout the Big Apple, the stand-up artist is taking her talents on the road for the remainder of the year as part of a cross-country tour. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 26 June 2026

Noun

Nordic combined pairs a ski jump with a cross-country ski race, converting each athlete’s jump score into a head-start or time deficit that sets their position at the start of the race. — Nethumi Kannangara, Sportico.com, 8 July 2026

But what’s the argument in favor of banning them from the 100-yard dash, or cross-country track, or diving, or archery? — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 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