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.

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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

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noun

1. a long race held over open ground

Etymology

Origin of cross-country

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

The NFL made an effort to put some space between those cross-country games for the Chargers.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Saudi Arabia has a network of cross-country highways.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

But dreams of seamless cross-country journeys rub up against a fragmented network broken into national systems that critics say create hurdles and pushes up costs.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

The Saudi Arabian energy giant's cross-country pipeline has "proven itself to be a critical supply artery" and helped it avoid disruptions to shipping caused by the Iran war, said Aramco boss Amin Nasser.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

We have epic snowball fights, Mama and I go cross-country skiing, and Mustafa makes tons of money shoveling driveways.

From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan