crossing

1 of 2

noun

cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ 

1

: the act or action of crossing: such as

a

: a traversing or traveling across

b

: an opposing, blocking, or thwarting especially in an unfair or dishonest manner

2

a

: a place or structure (as on a street or over a river) where pedestrians or vehicles cross

especially : crosswalk

b

: the place in a cruciform church where the transept crosses the nave

c

: a place where a railroad track crosses a street

crossing

2 of 2

present participle of cross entry 2

Synonyms of crossing

Noun

• voyage
• cruise

Examples of crossing in a Sentence

Noun

Stop at the railroad crossing.

a crossing for ferry boats

the crossing of a mountain range

a weeklong crossing of the Atlantic Ocean

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Parents will be dropping off students, children will be navigating new routes, and nearly 250 city crossing guards will be out each day to help families cross safely. — Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

The number of ships crossing rose 27% over the past week, with 103 vessels entering and 89 leaving, according to a CNN analysis of UK Maritime Trade Operations data. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

The Albanians in Paris who had helped me plan my crossing had said that the train would remain at the station for five minutes, ten at most. — Ledio Cakaj, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026

The decline in migration has not ended dangerous crossings from Tunisia’s southern coast, where families in the south, particularly in Zarzis, have for years searched for relatives who disappeared at sea. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crossing

• crossing guard
• crossing-over
• grade crossing
• level crossing
• pedestrian crossing
• pelican crossing
• railroad crossing
• zebra crossing

Rhymes for crossing

• bossing
• glossing
• tossing
• crisscrossing
• embossing
• outcrossing
• recrossing

Kids Definition

crossing

noun

cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ 

1

a

: the act of one that crosses

b

: a voyage across water

c

: the act or process of interbreeding or hybridizing

2

: a place where a street or stream is crossed

3

: a place where two things (as a street and a railroad track) cross