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)

Example Sentences

When I was three, my dad got me a motocross bike.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

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

It was also their most nearly impossible mission yet – and not just because of, according to Paramount Pictures, the 500 skydives and 13,000 motocross jumps that Cruise did in preparation for his climactic stunt.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2023

“It’s a waste of time. Especially since I’m going to be a motocross driver. Dad said I could.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam