crossing

noun

cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ 

1

: the act or action of crossing: such as

a

: a traversing or traveling across

b

: an opposing, blocking, or thwarting especially in an unfair or dishonest manner

2

a

: a place or structure (as on a street or over a river) where pedestrians or vehicles cross

especially : crosswalk

b

: the place in a cruciform church where the transept crosses the nave

c

: a place where a railroad track crosses a street

Synonyms

• cruise
• passage
• sail
• voyage

Examples of crossing in a Sentence

Stop at the railroad crossing.

a crossing for ferry boats

the crossing of a mountain range

a weeklong crossing of the Atlantic Ocean

Recent Examples on the Web

The following year, Assad’s forces recaptured Daraa, and the border crossing reopened. —Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

In Tecumseh, a rural area southeast of Oklahoma, the Little River was more than 4 feet past its flood stage early Monday, threatening to damage croplands, pastures and roads along the river downstream of the U.S. Highway 177 bridge crossing. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Broadway Road will also be closed in both directions between 48th and 55th streets (no crossing over I-10). —Olivia Rose, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

Migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border have surged in recent years, and immigration and border security has become a top issue for voters. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crossing

• crossing guard
• crossing-over
• grade crossing
• level crossing
• pedestrian crossing
• pelican crossing
• railroad crossing
• zebra crossing

Kids Definition

crossing

noun

cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ 

1

a

: the act of one that crosses

b

: a voyage across water

c

: the act or process of interbreeding or hybridizing

2

: a place where a street or stream is crossed

3

: a place where two things (as a street and a railroad track) cross