cross action

noun

: a legal action in which the defendant in an existing action files a suit against the plaintiff on the same subject matter : countersuit

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

cross-action

noun

cross-ac·​tion

: an action brought by a defendant in an existing action against a plaintiff or codefendant compare counterclaim, cross-appeal, cross-claim, third-party claim