crossing

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

Synonyms of crossing

• voyage
• cruise

Examples of crossing in a Sentence

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

The border crossing into Canada via Windsor (near Detroit) is roughly 53 miles from the Ohio-Michigan border. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2026

But while a border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has technically reopened, few people have been allowed to use it so far. —Greg Dixon, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026

That means making choices throughout your day that entail interaction—say, ordering coffee in person versus on an app or pausing to chat with the crossing guard. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 19 Feb. 2026

Israel seized the crossing in May 2024 and shut it down completely. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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