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

plural

cross-countries

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

I don’t know how you can settle on a single highlight from an Olympic fortnight which included a Norwegian cross-country skier, Johannes Klaebo, collecting six gold medals, a record for a single Winter Games.

From The Wall Street Journal

The final medals from Milan-Cortina 2026 were awarded in the women's and men's 50 km mass start cross-country skiing events, before a tribute to the Games volunteers.

From BBC

However no medal went to the Czechoslovakian wolfdog named Nazgul who got loose on the course and sprinted to the finish line in a women’s cross-country race, finishing 20th.

From Los Angeles Times

And then an actual one chased cross-country skiers down the finishing straight in the women's team sprint event.

From BBC

It also extends his own record for most Winter Olympic golds to 11, while he becomes the first athlete to win all six cross-country events at one Games.

From BBC