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

Boise bridge project includes bike, pedestrian improvements Once completed, Tanis hopes the new infrastructure will shore up the river crossing, ease mounting traffic concerns, and improve safety near the busy entrance to Barber Park. —Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 19 Dec. 2025

Last week at Dallas, McCarthy overthrew him on a deep crossing route and sailed a would-be touchdown pass through his hands — an incompletion that Jefferson claimed responsibility for. —CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

This aligns with past research in Banff National Park, where a series of wildlife crossings have helped reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by 80 percent — or 96 percent for just elk and deer. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025

Vast stretches of track between crossings are exposed, and nothing prevents a person from walking across them on their way to work, church or the bar. —Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025

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