motocross

noun

mo·​to·​cross ˈmō-tō-ˌkrȯs 

variants or less commonly motorcross

ˈmō-tər-ˌkrȯs 

plural motocrosses also motorcrosses

: a closed-course motorcycle race over natural or simulated rough terrain (as with steep inclines, hairpin turns, and mud)

… has brought in some 75,000 visitors during the past six months. They have come to participate in such activities as square dance contests, Highland games and motocrosses.

—Judith Segal and Linn Varney

also : the sport of engaging in motocross races

If you think racing motocross is a tough sport now—just take yourself back 30 years to the early '70s.

—Dirt Rider

Motocross began around 1914 as a form of relaxation for employees at an English motorcycle factory. It became an international sport in the '50s, mainly in Europe. In the '70s, it took root in America, particularly in Southern California.

—Tracy Young

This versatile space seats 12,000 people for events ranging from basketball to motorcross and world-class ice skating.

—Steve Womersley and Rachel Neustein

In a return for the first event this summer, motocross enthusiasts will once again be able to race at the Taber Motorsports Park this coming weekend.

—Cole Parkinson

Examples of motocross in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Johnson became a motocross teammate of Muncey’s son Edward, and got to know Bill Muncey’s successor driver, Chip Hanauer, in the Atlas Van Lines — a revolutionary cab-over, championship design that dominated the sport in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024

Focused mainly for off-road racing, the Redshift MX competed against, and even beat, traditional motocross machines. —Tim Stevens, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2023

When halftime ended, motocross bikers rocketed up a thin ramp and performed midair stunts. —Paul McAdory, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024

Champion bodybuilder Chad McCrary, who continued competing after a 2005 motocross accident left him paralyzed, has died. —Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024

We are also joined on the ride by Yamaha ambassadors and former motocross and supercross champions Damon Bradshaw and Ryan Villopot. —Bill Roberson, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2024

The award was determined by a panel of independent judges, including nautical designer Dan Lenard of Nuvolari Lenard Designs, Captain Kerry of Below Deck Adventure, Nascar legend Michael Waltrip, and former motocross great Ricky Carmichael. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2023

Back when motocross racers (and movie stars who raced) wore wool jackets and primitive helmets (if even that), Triumph was a force to be reckoned with out in the dirt. —William Roberson, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023

There will also be three activation areas for Formula Drift, Hooligan off-road racing and Nitro Circus freestyle motocross. —Dave Brooks, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

motocross borrowed from French, from moto "motorcycle" (short for motocyclette) + cross-country "racecourse laid out over open country" (borrowed from English cross-country entry 1); motorcross altered from motocross by conformation to motor entry 1

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

motocross

noun

mo·​to·​cross ˈmōt-ō-ˌkrȯs 

: a motorcycle race over a course laid out on rough terrain

also : the sport of motocross racing