motocross

American  

[moh-toh-kraws, -kros] / ˈmoʊ toʊˌkrɔs, -ˌkrɒs /

noun

1. a timed motorcycle race over a closed course consisting of a winding dirt trail with hills, jumps, sharp turns, and often muddy terrain. MX

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motocross British  

/ ˈməʊtəˌkrɒs /

noun

1. a motorcycle race across very rough ground

2. another name for rallycross See also autocross

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Etymology

Origin of motocross

First recorded in 1945–50; from French: equivalent to moto(rcycle) + cross(-country)

Explanation

Motocross, or MX, is a high-intensity, physically demanding form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed dirt circuits. The sport of motocross involves riders competing side-by-side, racing over dirt mounds and banked corners. The term motocross originated in the 1940s as a portmanteau of the French moto (short for motocyclette, meaning "motorcycle") and the English cross-country. The sport evolved from an English version called scrambling, and became popular in the U.S. in the 1960s. Modern motocross, or "dirt bike" racing, features mass starts of up to 40 riders charging toward the first turn of the track to gain an advantage in the race. MX is a high-intensity, physically demanding sport.

Example Sentences

Before Monday's return to Sunderland in the Premier League, Pickford sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his childhood, taking his son to football training and a love of motocross.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

Aidan Zingg, a motocross prodigy who recently signed with Kawasaki’s prestigious Team Green program, died Saturday at age 16 from injuries sustained during the Mammoth Mountain MX event in Mammoth Lakes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2025

Few were better at it than Mr. Lagerfeld, who with his powdered ponytail, dark glasses and fingerless motocross gloves was a cartoon unto himself, but he was far from the only one.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2024

Prosecutors said they were investigating police allegations that the teenager failed to stop while riding his motocross bike along the pavement and, as he fled, hit a police vehicle at a cross section.

From Reuters • Sep. 7, 2023

“In motocross racing, it’s against the rules to get off your bike. I think he cheated.”

From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary