motocross

American  

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

noun

motocrosses plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• motocrosses
  plural

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.