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 parade crossing points are at Grant and Geary, Grant and Post, California and Kearny, and Washington and Kearny. —Jose Fabian, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026

From swamp foot to soggy river crossings, here’s how to choose between the protection of a waterproof membrane and the fast-drying freedom of breathable mesh. —Alisha McDarris, Outside, 7 Mar. 2026

Not long before that passage of play, Liverpool did advance the ball to the edge of the Wolves box, but Milos Kerkez opted against crossing and instead the move fizzled out with Dominik Szoboszlai attempting a speculative shot from more than 30 yards out. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Norwegian Cruise Line got ahold of its newest ship at a ceremony in Italy on Thursday ahead of its transatlantic crossing to Miami. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 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