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• cross
  cross

  noun

  a structure consisting essentially of an upright and a transverse piece, used to execute persons in ancient times.
• Cross
  Cross

  noun

  Wilbur Lucius, 1862–1948, U.S. educator: governor of Connecticut 1931–39.
• cross-
  cross-

  a combining form of cross, used to indicate an interaction or exchange of two or more things (cross-addicted, cross-cultural, cross-pollination ), the extension across a space or the covering of a distance (cross-border, crosscountry ), or the passing across or perpendicular intersection with something (crossbar, crosscurrent ).

cross

¹ American  

[kraws, kros] / krɔs, krɒs /

noun

• crosses
  plural

1. a structure consisting essentially of an upright and a transverse piece, used to execute persons in ancient times.

2. any object, figure, or mark resembling a cross, as two intersecting lines.

3. a mark resembling a cross, usually an X, made instead of a signature by a person unable to write.

4. the Cross, the cross upon which Jesus died.

5. a figure of the Cross as a Christian emblem, badge, etc.

6. the Cross as the symbol of Christianity.

7. a small cross with a human figure attached to it, as a representation of Jesus crucified; crucifix.

8. a sign made with the right hand by tracing the figure of a cross in the air or by touching the foreheard, chest, and shoulders, as an act of devotion.

9. a structure or monument in the form of a cross, set up for prayer, as a memorial, etc.

10. any of various conventional representations or modifications of the Christian emblem used symbolically or for ornament, as in heraldry or art.

    a Latin cross;

    a Maltese cross.

11. the crucifixion of Jesus as the culmination of His redemptive mission.

12. any suffering endured for Jesus' sake.

13. the teaching of redemption gained by Jesus' death.

14. the Christian religion, or those who accept it; Christianity; Christendom.

15. an opposition; thwarting; frustration.

16. any misfortune; trouble.

17. a crossing of animals or plants; a mixing of breeds.

18. an animal, plant, breed, etc., produced by crossing; crossbreed.

19. a person or thing that is intermediate in character between two others.

20. Boxing. a punch thrown across and over the lead of an opponent.

    a left jab, followed by a right cross.

21. Older Slang. a contest the result of which is dishonestly arranged beforehand.

    Many of the onlookers, especially some who had bet heavily on Taylor, complained loudly that the fight was a “damnable cross.”

22. a crossing.

23. a place of crossing.

24. Plumbing. a four-way joint or connection.

25. Theater. an actor's movement from one area of a stage to another.

26. Also called cross-trade. Stock Exchange. an arrangement for the simultaneous sale and purchase of a block of stock handled by a single broker.

27. Machinery. spider.

28. (initial capital letter) Southern Cross.

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verb (used with object)

• crosses,
  present (3rd person singular)
• crossed,
  past participle,  past
• crossing
  present participle

1. to move, pass, or extend from one side to the other side of (a street, river, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   bridge, span, traverse

2. to put or draw (a line, lines, etc.) across.

3. to cancel by marking with a cross or with a line or lines (often followed by off orout ).

4. to mark with a cross.

5. to lie or pass across; intersect.

6. to meet and pass.

7. to transport across something.

8. to assist or guide (a person) across a street or intersection.

   The guard crossed the child at the traffic light.

9. to place in the form of a cross or crosswise.

10. Biology. to cause (members of different genera, species, breeds, varieties, or the like) to interbreed.

11. to oppose openly; thwart; frustrate.

    Synonyms:

    contradict, foil, baffle

    Antonyms:

    help, assist, aid

12. Slang. to betray; double-cross.

13. to make the sign of a cross upon or over, as in devotion.

    to cross oneself.

14. Nautical. to set (a yard) in proper position on a mast.

15. Obsolete. to confront in a hostile manner.

verb (used without object)

• crosses,
  present (3rd person singular)
• crossed,
  past participle,  past
• crossing
  present participle

1. to lie or be athwart; intersect.

2. to move, pass, or extend from one side or place to another.

   Cross at the intersection.

3. to meet and pass.

4. to interbreed.

5. Theater. to move from one side of the stage to the other, especially by passing downstage of another actor.

adjective

• crosser,
  comparative
• crossest
  superlative

1. angry and annoyed; ill-humored; snappish.

   Don't be cross with me.

   Synonyms:

   testy, touchy, fretful, irritable, impatient, ill-tempered, cranky, cantankerous, sulky, churlish, crabbed, waspish, irascible, fractious, petulant

   Antonyms:

   agreeable, good-humored, good-natured

2. lying or passing crosswise or across each other; athwart; transverse.

   cross timbers.

3. involving a reciprocal action, interchange, or the like.

   a cross-endorsement of political candidates;

   cross-marketing of related services.

4. contrary; opposite.

   They were at cross purposes with each other.

5. adverse; unfavorable.

6. crossbred; hybrid.

verb phrase

1. cross over Also cross over to the other side

   1. Biology. (of a chromosome segment) to undergo crossing over.

   2. to switch allegiance, as from one political party to another.

   3. to change successfully from one field of endeavor, genre, etc., to another.

      to cross over from jazz to rock.

   4. to die; pass away.

2. cross up

   1. to change arrangements made with; deceive.

      He crossed me up after we had agreed to tell the police the same story.

   2. to confuse.

      I was supposed to meet him at the station, but got crossed up.

idioms

1. on the cross, in a dishonest manner; illegally.

   Her elegant clothes and those two splendid rings had been acquired on the cross.

2. take the cross, to make the vows of a crusader.

3. bear one's cross, to accept trials or troubles patiently.

4. cross one's mind. mind.

5. cross one's heart. heart.

6. cross one's path. path.

7. cross the line, line.

8. cross someone's palm (with silver), to give money to, especially in payment for a service.

   I shall tell your fortune, but you must first cross my palm with silver.

Cross ² American  

[kraws, kros] / krɔs, krɒs /

noun

1. Wilbur Lucius, 1862–1948, U.S. educator: governor of Connecticut 1931–39.

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cross- ³ American  

1. a combining form of cross, used to indicate an interaction or exchange of two or more things (cross-addicted, cross-cultural, cross-pollination ), the extension across a space or the covering of a distance (cross-border, crosscountry ), or the passing across or perpendicular intersection with something (crossbar, crosscurrent ).

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Cross ¹ British  

/ krɒs /

noun

1. the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified

2. the Crucifixion of Jesus

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cross- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating action from one individual, group, etc, to another

   cross-cultural

   cross-fertilize

   cross-refer

2. indicating movement, position, etc, across something (sometimes implying interference, opposition, or contrary action)

   crosscurrent

   crosstalk

3. indicating a crosslike figure or intersection

   crossbones

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Cross ³ British  

/ krɒs /

noun

1. Richard Assheton , 1st Viscount. 1823–1914, British Conservative statesman, home secretary (1874–80); noted for reforms affecting housing, public health, and the employment of women and children in factories

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cross ⁴ British  

/ krɒs /

noun

1. a structure or symbol consisting essentially of two intersecting lines or pieces at right angles to one another

2. a wooden structure used as a means of execution, consisting of an upright post with a transverse piece to which people were nailed or tied

3. a representation of the Cross used as an emblem of Christianity or as a reminder of Christ's death

4. any mark or shape consisting of two intersecting lines, esp such a symbol ( × ) used as a signature, point of intersection, error mark, etc

5. a sign representing the Cross made either by tracing a figure in the air or by touching the forehead, breast, and either shoulder in turn

6. any conventional variation of the Christian symbol, used emblematically, decoratively, or heraldically, such as a Maltese, tau, or Greek cross

7. heraldry any of several charges in which one line crosses or joins another at right angles

8. a cruciform emblem awarded to indicate membership of an order or as a decoration for distinguished service

9. (sometimes capital) Christianity or Christendom, esp as contrasted with non-Christian religions

   Cross and Crescent

10. the place in a town or village where a cross has been set up

11. a pipe fitting, in the form of a cross, for connecting four pipes

12. biology

    1. the process of crossing; hybridization

    2. an individual produced as a result of this process

13. a mixture of two qualities or types

    he's a cross between a dictator and a saint

14. an opposition, hindrance, or misfortune; affliction (esp in the phrase bear one's cross )

15. slang a match or game in which the outcome has been rigged

16. slang a fraud or swindle

17. boxing a straight punch delivered from the side, esp with the right hand

18. football the act or an instance of kicking or passing the ball from a wing to the middle of the field

19. 1. diagonally

    2. slang dishonestly

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verb

1. (sometimes foll by over) to move or go across (something); traverse or intersect

   we crossed the road

2. 1. to meet and pass

      the two trains crossed

   2. (of each of two letters in the post) to be dispatched before receipt of the other

3. (tr; usually foll by out, off, or through) to cancel with a cross or with lines; delete

4. (tr) to place or put in a form resembling a cross

   to cross one's legs

5. (tr) to mark with a cross or crosses

6. (tr) to draw two parallel lines across the face of (a cheque) and so make it payable only into a bank account

7. (tr)

   1. to trace the form of the Cross, usually with the thumb or index finger upon (someone or something) in token of blessing

   2. to make the sign of the Cross upon (oneself)

8. (intr) (of telephone lines) to interfere with each other so that three or perhaps four callers are connected together at one time

9. to cause fertilization between (plants or animals of different breeds, races, varieties, etc)

10. (tr) to oppose the wishes or plans of; thwart

    his opponent crosses him at every turn

11. football to kick or pass (the ball) from a wing to the middle of the field

12. (tr) nautical to set (the yard of a square sail) athwartships

13. to deal with matters, problems, etc, as they arise; not to anticipate difficulties

14. to fold one finger across another in the hope of bringing good luck

    keep your fingers crossed

15. to promise or pledge, esp by making the sign of a cross over one's heart

16. to occur to one briefly or suddenly

17. to give someone money

18. to meet or thwart someone

19. to argue or fight

adjective

1. angry; ill-humoured; vexed

2. lying or placed across; transverse

   a cross timber

3. involving interchange; reciprocal

4. contrary or unfavourable

5. another word for crossbred

6. a Brit slang word for dishonest

cross Scientific  

/ krôs /

1. A plant or animal produced by crossbreeding; a hybrid.

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1. To crossbreed or cross-fertilize plants or animals.

cross More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing cross

• at cross purposes
• at the crossroads
• caught in the middle (cross-fire)
• dot one's i's and cross one's t's
• double cross
• get one's wires crossed

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Usage

What is a basic definition of cross? Cross as a verb means to begin at one side of something and finish at the opposite side. As an adjective, cross means angry and irritated. As a noun, cross refers to a structure that resembles a lowercase t or any object that has this shape. Cross has a huge number of other senses as a noun, verb, and adjective. When an object or living thing crosses something else, it physically moves from one side to the other, passes from one side to the other, or extends from one side to the other.

• Real-life examples: A chicken crosses (walks across) a road. An airplane crosses (passes over) the Atlantic Ocean. A bridge crosses (extends over) a raging river.
• Used in a sentence: She slowly crossed the rickety bridge. 

As an adjective, cross is used to describe a person who is angry, annoyed, or generally in a bad mood. This sense is often written as “be cross with.”

• Real-life examples: Teachers get cross when students don’t do their homework. A person waiting in line for hours will most likely become cross. Service people are told not to be cross with rude customers and maintain a sense of calm.
• Used in a sentence: She was very cross with her brother after he forgot her birthday. 

The noun sense of cross refers to an object made from a horizontal piece and a vertical piece to form a structure that resembles a lowercase t. This object has a huge historical and religious significance, especially among Christians. A wooden cross was used by the ancient Romans in order to perform a crucifixion, a horrible execution method in which a person was bound or nailed to a cross until they died. Jesus Christ, an extremely important person in Christianity, was famously executed by the Romans by being nailed to a cross. The cross or “the Cross” (meaning the specific one Jesus died on) is a holy symbol to Christians and a cross shape is often used as the symbol of Christianity. Many Christians have crosses in their homes or on their vehicles or wear one on a necklace.

• Real-life examples: Most Christian bibles have a cross on the cover. Most Christian churches have a cross (or many crosses) on or inside the building. Many Christian works of art depict crosses or the crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross.
• Used in a sentence: The priest’s cane had a cross painted on it.

What does cross- mean? Cross- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning variously “transverse; going across something" or "cross," as in a figure or object resembling a cross, a structure or mark comprising two intersecting lines. It is often used in a variety of everyday and technical terms. Cross- ultimately comes from Latin crux, meaning “cross,” which is also the source of words such as crucial and cruciform. Learn more about this word at our entry for crux.

Synonym Usage

Cross, ill-natured, peevish, sullen refer to being in a bad mood or ill temper. Cross means temporarily in an irritable or fretful state, and somewhat angry: He gave her a cross reply and walked out of the room. Ill-natured implies a more permanent condition, without definite cause, and means unpleasant, unkind, inclined to snarl or be spiteful: an ill-natured dog; ill-natured spite. Peevish means complaining and snappish: She's acting like a peevish child again. Sullen suggests a kind of glowering silent gloominess and means refusing to speak because of bad humor, anger, or a sense of injury or resentment: I know I haven't called, but why are you suddenly so sullen and vindictive?

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• crossability
  noun
• crosser
  noun
• crossness
  noun
• recross
  verb
• crossable
  adjective
• uncrossable
  adjective
• crossly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• crosses
  plural

Adjectives

• crosser
  comparative
• crossest
  superlative

Participles

• crossing
  present
• crossed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• cross
  simple
• crosses
  simple
• have crossed
  perfect
• has crossed
  perfect
• am crossing
  progressive
• are crossing
  progressive
• is crossing
  progressive
• have been crossing
  perfect progressive
• has been crossing
  perfect progressive

Past

• crossed
  simple
• had crossed
  perfect
• was crossing
  progressive
• were crossing
  progressive
• had been crossing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will cross
  simple
• will have crossed
  perfect
• will be crossing
  progressive
• will have been crossing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of cross

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, late Old English cros, from Old Norse kross, from Old Irish cros (from British Celtic ), from Latin crux; see crux

Explanation

When you cross something, you travel over it — like when you cross the street, after looking both ways and using the crosswalk, of course. A commercial pilot might cross the continent several times a week, and a boy might cross several back yards on his way to school. Another kind of cross is a written mark, an upended X on a piece of paper. There's also the adjective cross, which describes someone who is extremely cranky. The Latin root word crux means "stake or cross," but its figurative meaning, "trouble or misery," is related to to traditional use of wooden crosses to hang criminals.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cross Cross cross- crosses crosser crossest crossed crossing

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring, sugar-related molecule that can cross the blood-brain barrier, the protective boundary that tightly controls which substances can move from the bloodstream into brain tissue.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 27, 2026

Nico O'Reilly: Put in the cross for Kane's goal as England took the lead in the first half.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Messengers on horseback cross the linen field of vision and bring Harold to meet his nemesis and relative by marriage, Duke William, aka William the Bastard.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

That would mark the first death cross for the currency pair since March 25, 2025.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

He passed the spot where the cliffs hung over him in a dark and fearful arch and made the sign of the cross over himself.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

El Camino Real put coach Josh Lienhard on administrative leave after questions arose why his CPR and first-aid cards were not listed in the Red Cross database.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

Angel Sauceda, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, said go bags — any durable backpack or duffel bag will do — should have:

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had supplied materials to help the search effort at the request of local authorities.

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

They were mostly alone, with some help from the Red Cross.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

"Mr. Cross, Mr. Thompson was just on your back yelling yee-haw while circling his arm in the air as if winding an imaginary lasso."

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

The new norms will enable standardised grip strength test results for cross- and within-country comparisons, to identify trends over time, monitor improvements and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented public health policies.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 6, 2024

Over defense objections, Judge Jeffrey Jahns allowed prosecutors to cross- examine Troyer about a 2015 complaint about a Facebook message Troyer sent to a man who had criticized the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 12, 2022

“These cross- defendants are professionals who owed a duty to those on set, including Baldwin, to keep the set safe,” Baldwin’s attorney’s Luke Nikas wrote in his complaint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2022

That could mean more questioning of witnesses from Senate Democrats, or cross- examination by Republicans — and with it more steep legal fees.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 7, 2019

The knight seated himself cross- legged on the cushion.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Along the boundary with China, Kim's government has erected fences and installed cameras as well as strips of sand that preserve the footprints of anyone who crosses.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

Death crosses aren’t necessarily good market-timing signals, but they help reinforce the idea that a new trend may have started.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

Villa's tally of 32 crosses, the lowest in the league, is half as many as Tottenham have managed.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

The order does not specify when “commonplace” use of names or pronouns crosses into abusive harassment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

His arm crosses in front of me protectively.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Middlesbrough did it with Giles pushing up, given his pace, endurance and quality as a crosser.

From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2026

Today Kim Kardashian is a fashion mogul, prison reform advocate and crosser of picket lines.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2023

The rules require agents and officers to justify each arrest and deportation target as either a threat to national security, a risk to public safety or a recent border crosser.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 31, 2023

Future first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston took a short crosser from Duggan and turned it up the sideline for a 76-yard score that put the Frogs up 10.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 31, 2022

“But if I do, I shall be crosser still. I can never bear to think of you all there without me.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

“You’re the crossest person in it!” returned Amy, washing out the sum that was all wrong with the tears that had fallen on her slate.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

I cannot take you with me, because my aunt is the crossest woman alive, and never liked young people.

From Granny's Wonderful Chair by Arthur A. Dixon

As for misjudgin’, I’ve often an’ over again heard ’em say I was the crossest feller they ever did meet with, but they never was more out in their reckoning.”

From Gascoyne, the Sandal-Wood Trader by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

I remember it as a place of heavenly peace—though in my day they used to make the oldest and crossest nun in the order superior at Andecy.

From Atlantic Narratives Modern Short Stories by Elizabeth Ashe

“Oh, I wish you would not talk so continually about that stupid old fuss!” said Evelyn in her crossest voice.

From A Very Naughty Girl by L. T. Meade

More than 18,500 people have crossed the Channel in small boats this year compared to more than 32,000 than the same period in 2025.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

As of Sunday, some 19,135 people had crossed the Channel from France so far in 2026, down 42 percent year-on-year.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

So, historically, most of the people here, their grandfather or their great-grandfather crossed the border illegally, undocumented, and they ran away from the Border Patrol and had to figure out life on their own.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

She created a headache for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez when she crossed the U.N. chamber to greet him while he was on the phone, exchanging kisses and a few words.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

I pulled my hand back and crossed my arms.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

A total of 781 people arrived in Britain on Wednesday after crossing the Channel on small boats -- a daily record for 2026 -- although overall numbers remain below previous years.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

That’s roughly 89 people a day crossing the $30 million threshold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Antonelli only just missed out on passing Leclerc for fourth, crossing the line 0.3secs adrift of the Ferrari.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Leslie Goldman, who lives near Studebaker and Stearns, said large piles of dirt — at times higher than cars — have blocked residents from crossing the street or seeing oncoming traffic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

They wanted him to make money just by sitting in the middle of this new market, the way Goldman Sachs did, crossing buyers and sellers.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• cruise
• cut across
• navigate
• pass over
• ply
• sail
• span
• traverse