cross-country

American  

[kraws-kuhn-tree, kros-, kraws-kuhn-tree, -kuhn-, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌkʌn tri, ˈkrɒs-, ˈkrɔsˈkʌn tri, -ˌkʌn-, ˈkrɒs- /

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

cross-countries plural

1. a cross-country sport or race.

cross-country British  

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cross-countries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cross-country

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cross-country cross-countries

When his daughter, now 21, sought to run cross-country in middle school and field hockey in high school, she was allowed.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

B.P.J. was allowed to participate in sports as the case went on, leading her to join the girls’ cross-country and track-and-field teams.

From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2026

In middle school, she participated in cross-country as a sixth-grader and described herself as slow.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

This was especially hard during the pandemic, and it eventually involved a series of cross-country moves.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

In cross-country competition, training counted more than intrinsic ability, and I could compensate for a lack of natural aptitude with diligence and discipline.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Then you'll be with us on the morning cross-countries again.

From The High School Left End Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football Gridiron by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)