cross-link
noun
: a crosswise connecting part (such as an atom or group) that connects parallel chains in a complex chemical molecule (such as a polymer)
cross-link
verb
Examples of cross-link in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An accelerator has cross-linked those polymers to make the plastics and synthetic rubber more durable.
—
Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Likewise, many companies deploy behavior-tracking tools for analytics, but few question how this data might be repurposed or cross-linked.
—Sarah Choudhary, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As the skin transitions to adulthood, fibroblasts work to cross-link those collagen bundles.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
To strengthen their glue, mussels use two chemical groups, called catechols and thiols, which cross-link like the hooks and loops of Velcro.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025
The key is to knead the mixture (by hand or in a stand mixture fitted with a paddle) until the proteins begin to unravel and cross-link, giving it a tacky texture that turns springy and juicy as the sausage cooks, releasing its flavorful fat to mingle with the sauce and cheese as the pizza bakes.
—J. Kenji López-Alt, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
This made the objects softer, because opening up the bonds reduces the amount of cross-linking in the polymer networks.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
The best guess Adams could make was that their strands have more cross-links than ours--weak chemical bonds at points where strands are coiled close together.
—Will Hively, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
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Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Likewise, many companies deploy behavior-tracking tools for analytics, but few question how this data might be repurposed or cross-linked.
—Sarah Choudhary, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As the skin transitions to adulthood, fibroblasts work to cross-link those collagen bundles.
—Alison Escalante, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
To strengthen their glue, mussels use two chemical groups, called catechols and thiols, which cross-link like the hooks and loops of Velcro.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025
The key is to knead the mixture (by hand or in a stand mixture fitted with a paddle) until the proteins begin to unravel and cross-link, giving it a tacky texture that turns springy and juicy as the sausage cooks, releasing its flavorful fat to mingle with the sauce and cheese as the pizza bakes.
—J. Kenji López-Alt, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
This made the objects softer, because opening up the bonds reduces the amount of cross-linking in the polymer networks.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023
The best guess Adams could make was that their strands have more cross-links than ours--weak chemical bonds at points where strands are coiled close together.
—Will Hively, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Cross-link.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-link. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cross-link
noun
: a crosswise connecting part (as an atom or group) that connects parallel chains in a complex chemical molecule (as a protein)
cross-link
verb
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