cross-country

1 of 2

adjective

cross-coun·​try ˈkrȯs-ˈkən-trē 

-ˌkən-

1

: extending or moving across a country

a cross-country concert tour

2

: proceeding over countryside (as across fields and through woods) and not by roads

3

: of or relating to racing or skiing over the countryside instead of over a track or run

cross-country adverb

cross-country

2 of 2

noun

: cross-country racing or skiing

Examples of cross-country in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Tigers have won three straight since their opening-night loss at LSU, rallying past North Carolina and then winning at California last week in the program’s first cross-country trip for a league game. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Come winter, the conditions are perfect for cross-country and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and dogsledding. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel didn’t hide from quarterback Drake Maye’s struggles on Thursday afternoon after a red-eye, cross-country flight back from Seattle following his team’s season-opening loss to the Seahawks. — Chad Graff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

When a pigeon flys through her window and refuses to leave, Brooke embarks on a cross-country road trip to return the bird to its owner, meeting divorcee Nelson (Taika Waititi) along the way. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cross-country

• backcountry
• countrie
• country
• intercountry

Kids Definition

cross-country

1 of 2 adjective

cross-coun·​try

ˈkrȯ-ˈskən-trē

1

: extending or moving across a country

a cross-country railroad

a cross-country concert tour

2

: going over the countryside rather than by roads

3

: dealing with or being racing or skiing over the countryside instead of over a track or run

cross-country adverb

cross-country

2 of 2 noun

: cross-country skiing or racing