crosscut

American  

[kraws-kuht, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌkʌt, ˈkrɒs- /

adjective

1. made or used for cutting crosswise.

2. cut across the grain or on the bias.

---

noun

1. a transverse cut or course.

2. a shortcut by way of an area not ordinarily traversed, as grass or open country; a route that cuts diagonally across a road or path network.

3. Mining. an underground passageway, usually from a shaft to a vein of ore or crosswise of a vein of ore.

4. Movies, Television. an act or instance of crosscutting.

5. a crosscut saw.

verb (used with object)

crosscut, crosscutting

1. to cut or go across.

2. Movies, Television. to insert into a scene or sequence (portions of another scene), as to heighten suspense or suggest simultaneous action.

verb (used without object)

crosscut, crosscutting

1. Movies, Television. to employ the technique of crosscutting.

crosscut British  

/ ˈkrɒsˌkʌt /

adjective

1. cut at right angles or obliquely to the major axis

---

noun

1. a transverse cut or course

2. a less common word for short cut

3. mining a tunnel through a vein of ore or from the shaft to a vein

verb

1. to cut across

2. Also: intercut. films to link (two sequences or two shots) so that they appear to be taking place at the same time

Other Word Forms

• crosscutter
  noun

---

Etymology

Origin of crosscut

First recorded in 1580–90; cross- + cut

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crosscut crosscutting

“I don’t like the crosscut, because you’re relying on someone else.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2025

One day, her four-person crew hiked three miles into the woods toting a crosscut saw.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 15, 2021

Throughout this thing, Thompson is dropping explanatory information and montages that are crosscut with more information.

From New York Times ● Jun. 24, 2021

“My father worked all day cutting wood with a crosscut saw,” Guy told me.

From The New Yorker ● Mar. 4, 2019

Papa said it would grow hair on a crosscut saw.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

But crosscutting concerns for months had made it impossible to gain traction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2025

And yet, the series takes pains to connect them, thematically and visually, in the editing process, through crosscutting that links them throughout different periods of their lives.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2024

There are a few crosscutting themes in my work — thriller aspect with “Blackfish,” but also can I say something remotely important in a new way?

From Salon ● Jan. 19, 2024

The changing circulation patterns also lead to more crosscutting wind shear, which can stymie storm development.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 21, 2023

Blount recalled his men from the drifts where 91they had been working and set them to crosscutting for the vein.

From Shadow Mountain by Dane Coolidge

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• cut across
• transect

---