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

Just a year after the company's first foray into motocross bikes, Ducati has unveiled the Desmo250 MX, a fire-breathing featherweight built to dominate tracks with possibly the highest revving engine in its class. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 June 2026

One hundred of the top BMX, motocross, and skateboard athletes are in town for the three-day event at Cal Expo. — James Taylor, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Beyond the 18 events spanning BMX, skateboarding and motocross, Sacramento’s X Games will also feature three headlining music artists, food and interactive entertainment. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

On Sunday, June 21, the former motocross competitor, 50, shared a post on Instagram in celebration of the holiday that featured a series of photos of himself, the singer, 46, and their two kids, Willow, 15, and Jameson, 9. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

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

Rhymes for motocross

• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• menelaus
• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas

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