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

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

Andy Bernadett and his wife, Kim Zwick, ran an accounting and financial-planning firm in Grass Valley, Calif., and loved doing cross-country trips on a tandem bike.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

A seller based in the Pacific Northwest took a virtual cross-country journey with her books after noticing more bulk orders earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

There is a disclaimer before each episode stating that their cross-country excursion is funded by a nonprofit and no taxpayer dollars were used to pay for the series.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Both incidents took place during the cross-country phases of the competitions.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

Shia and Jo from girl’s varsity cross-country at Montevideo High, who invited her to come meet their team.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

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 H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock