cross-country

[ adjective kraws-kuhn-tree, kros-; noun kraws-kuhn-tree, -kuhn-, kros- ]

adjective

1. directed or proceeding over fields, through woods, etc., rather than on a road or path:

   a cross-country race.

2. from one end of the country to the other:

   a cross-country flight.

noun

, plural cross-coun·tries.

1. a cross-country sport or race.

cross-country

adjective

1. by way of fields, woods, etc, as opposed to roads

   cross-country running

2. across a country

   a cross-country railway

noun

1. a long race held over open ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of cross-country¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

On October 17, Rebecca More embarked on a cross-country tour of Britain.

From The Daily Beast

To prove otherwise, Ford helped stage highly public events that got a lot of media coverage—including a cross-country race.

From The Daily Beast

The motley crew cast participates in an illegal cross-country car race, while doing anything to win.

From The Daily Beast

Concerned by a larger issue like getting into business school, planning a cross-country move, or paying down significant debt?

From The Daily Beast

The switch also required a considerable move cross-country to California, but so far, so good.

From The Daily Beast

For cross-country riding the stirrups should be taken up at least one hole, and the same is advisable in mounting a strange horse.

From Project Gutenberg

It will be a very cross-country journey by coach, and many of these country roads are desperately bad.

From Project Gutenberg

He was an excellent cross-country rider himself, and he loved a horse dearly.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, taking my luminous compass, I set out to steer a cross-country course.

From Project Gutenberg

He is a great favourite at White's; no one rides cross country like him, and he is a deuced fine shot in the bargain.

From Project Gutenberg