cross-ref·er·ence
ˈkrȯs-ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s 
-ˈre-fərn(t)s
: a notation or direction at one place (as in a book or filing system) to pertinent information at another place
cross-referenced; cross-referencing; cross-references
1
: to supply with cross-references
cross-reference a book
2
: to research, verify, or organize by means of cross-references
cross-reference information
Examples of cross-reference in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Okba Mohammad & Anna Surinyach, The Dial, 11 Nov. 2025
Researchers cross-reference submissions with prewar lists and historical events, sometimes requesting additional documentation before accepting a record.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
Limiting that data means scammers can't easily cross-reference your information with data from breaches or the dark web.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Nguyen suggested that the OC Animal Care shelter could pull from the pet license database and cross-reference it with the voter registration rolls to see if any more animals might be registered to vote.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
When proof of delivery or transit is required, analytical nodes cross-reference the aggregated records from various sources to confirm exactly when and where the package was seen.
—Markus Levin, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
The system then cross-references the license plate with national and local law enforcement databases.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Authorities are continuing to investigate to corroborate Valencia’s partner’s account, reviewing surveillance footage and cell phone data, and cross-referencing his narrative with the wounds on her body, per local reports.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Some even cross-reference leaked Salesforce data with information from previous breaches to build disturbingly complete profiles of their victims.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Tennessean cross-referenced the photo and found it was posted numerous times across multiple social media platforms, not connected to Bushart going back to 2024.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Oct. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Nguyen suggested that the OC Animal Care shelter could pull from the pet license database and cross-reference it with the voter registration rolls to see if any more animals might be registered to vote.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
People can also search the database by entering a case, citation or cross-reference number.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
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Noun
The coroner has worked since 2015 to unify criteria and establish a legal mechanism through which forensic doctors can cross-reference data on missing persons and bodies that are discovered.
—Okba Mohammad & Anna Surinyach, The Dial, 11 Nov. 2025
Researchers cross-reference submissions with prewar lists and historical events, sometimes requesting additional documentation before accepting a record.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
Limiting that data means scammers can't easily cross-reference your information with data from breaches or the dark web.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Nguyen suggested that the OC Animal Care shelter could pull from the pet license database and cross-reference it with the voter registration rolls to see if any more animals might be registered to vote.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
When proof of delivery or transit is required, analytical nodes cross-reference the aggregated records from various sources to confirm exactly when and where the package was seen.
—Markus Levin, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Researchers cross-reference submissions with prewar lists and historical events, sometimes requesting additional documentation before accepting a record.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
The system then cross-references the license plate with national and local law enforcement databases.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Authorities are continuing to investigate to corroborate Valencia’s partner’s account, reviewing surveillance footage and cell phone data, and cross-referencing his narrative with the wounds on her body, per local reports.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Some even cross-reference leaked Salesforce data with information from previous breaches to build disturbingly complete profiles of their victims.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The Tennessean cross-referenced the photo and found it was posted numerous times across multiple social media platforms, not connected to Bushart going back to 2024.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Oct. 2025
The software will then take the travelers’ biometric data, which will be used to cross-reference their passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, and issue and expiration dates) and verify their arrival and exit.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Nguyen suggested that the OC Animal Care shelter could pull from the pet license database and cross-reference it with the voter registration rolls to see if any more animals might be registered to vote.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
People can also search the database by entering a case, citation or cross-reference number.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cross-reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-reference. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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