plural crosses
1
a
: a long piece of wood with a shorter piece across it near the top that people were once fastened to and left to die on as a form of punishment
b
: the cross on which Jesus Christ died
c
: an object or image in the shape of a cross that is used as a symbol of Christianity
a necklace with a gold cross
2
: a decoration in the shape of a cross that is given to someone as an honor especially for military courage
3
: a mark formed by two lines that cross each other
The teacher marked the absent students on her list with crosses.
Those who could not write signed their names with a cross.
4
: a mixture of two different things, types, or qualities
Snowboarding is a cross between surfing and skiing.
The play is a cross between comedy and romance.
The dog is a cross of hunting dog and sheepdog.
5
boxing
: a punch that goes over an opponent's punch
a right cross
6
soccer
: a kick or hit of the ball that goes across the field from one side to another or to the middle of the field
crosses; crossed; crossing
1
: to go from one side of (something) to the other : to go across (something)
We crossed the state border hours ago.
The dog crossed the street.
The highway crosses the entire state.
He was the first runner to cross the finish line.
The train crosses through France.
2
: to go or pass across each other
the point at which two lines cross [=intersect]
Put a nail where the boards cross.
One line crossed the other.
3
: to place one arm, leg, etc., over the other
cross your arms/legs/fingers
Note: If you cross your fingers or keep your fingers crossed, you hope that you will be lucky and that something you want to happen will happen.
4
: to draw a line across (something)
Remember to cross your t's. [=to put a line across the top of the letter "t" when you write it]
5
: to pass in opposite directions
Our letters crossed in the mail. [=my letter was going to you while your letter was coming to me]
6
: to turn (your eyes) inward toward your nose
He crossed his eyes.
7
: to act against the wishes, plans, or orders of (someone)
My boss is usually nice, but she has a terrible temper and you don't want to cross her.
8
a
: to make two different kinds of animals breed together
The breeders crossed [=crossbred, interbred] the bison with domestic cattle.
—often used figuratively to describe someone or something that combines the qualities of two different people or thingsAs our leader, she was like a drill sergeant crossed with a camp counselor.
b
: to mix two kinds of plants to form a new one
The farmers crossed two different types of corn together.
9
soccer
: to kick or hit the ball sideways across the field
—+ to
He crossed to his teammate.
crosser; crossest
: annoyed or angry
I didn't mean to make you cross.
I was cross with her for being so careless.
Cite this Entry
“Cross.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cross. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
