cross

1 of 5

noun

ˈkrȯs 

1

a

: a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution

b

often capitalized : the cross on which Jesus was crucified

2

a

: crucifixion

b

: an affliction that tries one's virtue, steadfastness, or patience

We all have our crosses to bear.

3

: a cruciform sign made to invoke the blessing of Christ especially by touching the forehead, breast, and shoulders

4

a

: a device composed of an upright bar traversed (see traverse entry 1 sense transitive 3) by a horizontal one

specifically : one used as a Christian symbol

b

capitalized : the Christian religion

5

: a structure (such as a monument) shaped like or surmounted by a cross

a cross over a grave

6

: a figure or mark formed by two intersecting lines crossing at their midpoints

The crosses at the end of the letter indicate kisses.

specifically : such a mark used as a signature

7

: a cruciform badge, emblem, or decoration

8

: the intersection of two ways or lines : crossing

9

: annoyance, thwarting

a cross in love

10

a

: an act of crossing (see cross entry 2 sense 8) dissimilar individuals

b

: a crossbred individual or kind

The dog is a cross of a hunting dog and a sheepdog.

c

: one that combines characteristics of two different types or individuals

A zedonk is a cross between a zebra and a donkey.

11

a

: a fraudulent or dishonest contest

"I never fought a cross or struck a foul blow in my life … "

—George Bernard Shaw

b

: dishonest or illegal practices

—used especially in the phrase on the cross

12

: a movement from one part of a theater stage to another

13

a

: a punch thrown over the opponent's lead in boxing

hit him with a right cross

b

: an attacking pass in soccer played across the field from one side to the other or to the middle

14

: a security transaction in which a broker acts for both buyer and seller (as in the placing of a large lot of common stock)

called also cross-trade

Illustration of cross

• 1 Latin
• 2 Calvary
• 3 patriarchal or cross of Lorraine
• 4 papal
• 5 cross of Lorraine
• 6 Greek
• 7 Celtic
• 8 Maltese
• 9 Saint Andrew's
• 10 tau
• 11 pommée
• 12 botonée
• 13 fleury
• 14 avellan
• 15 moline
• 16 formée
• 17 fourchée
• 18 crosslet
• 19 quadrate
• 20 potent

cross

2 of 5

verb

crossed; crossing; crosses

transitive verb

1

a

: to lie or be situated across

b

: intersect

2

: to make the sign of the cross upon or over

3

: to cancel by marking a cross on or drawing a line through : strike out

cross names off a list

4

: to place or fold crosswise one over the other

cross the arms

5

a(1)

: to run counter to : oppose

(2)

: to deny the validity of : contradict

b

: to confront in a troublesome manner : obstruct

c(1)

: to spoil completely : disrupt

—used with up

His failure to appear crossed up the whole program.

(2)

: to turn against : betray

crossed me up on the deal

6

a

: to extend across or over : traverse

a highway crossing the entire state

b

: reach, attain

Only two crossed the finish line.

c

: to go from one side of to the other

cross a street

crosses racial barriers

7

a

: to draw a line across

b

: to mark or figure with lines : streak

8

: to cause (an animal or plant) to interbreed with one of a different kind : hybridize

9

: to meet and pass on the way

Our letters must have crossed each other.

10

: to occur to

It never crossed my mind.

11

: to carry or take across something

crossed the children at the intersection

12

: to turn (the eyes) inward toward the nose

The boy made a funny face and crossed his eyes.

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move, pass, or extend across something

crossed through France

crossed over to the other side of the river

b

: to move or pass from one character, condition, or allegiance to another

—used with over

crossing over to vote for another party's candidate

2

: to lie or be athwart each other

3

: to meet in passing especially from opposite directions

4

: interbreed, hybridize

crosser noun

cross

3 of 5

adjective

1

a

: lying across or athwart

b

: moving across

cross traffic

2

a

: running counter : opposite

b

: mutually opposed

cross purposes

3

: involving mutual interchange : reciprocal

4

: marked by typically transitory bad temper

5

: extending over or treating several groups, conditions, or classes

a cross sample from 25 colleges

6

: crossbred, hybrid

crossly adverb

crossness noun

cross

4 of 5

preposition

: across

cross

5 of 5

adverb

: not parallel : crisscross, crosswise

Phrases

cross one's fingers or keep one's fingers crossed

: to hope for a particular or stated outcome

Owners are crossing their fingers that relief might be on the way.

—Mike Freeman

Keep your fingers crossed that something will be worked out.

—Marge Crumbaker

cross paths

: to meet especially by chance

crossed paths with an old friend on a business trip

cross swords

: to engage in a dispute

Synonyms

Noun

• crucible
• fire
• gauntlet
• gantlet
• ordeal
• trial

Verb

• backstab
• betray
• double-cross
• sell (out)
• two-time

Adjective

• cold-blooded
• coldblood
• crossbred
• hybrid
• mixed
• mongrel

Examples of cross in a Sentence

Noun

a necklace with a gold cross

The teacher marked the absent students on her list with crosses.

Those who could not write signed their names with a cross.

Verb

We crossed the state border hours ago.

The dog crossed the street.

The highway crosses the entire state.

He was the first runner to cross the finish line.

The train crosses through France.

Put a nail where the boards cross.

One line crossed the other.

Adjective

I didn't mean to make you cross.

I was cross with her for being so careless.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An influx of political appointees would weaken those safeguards, potentially leaving Democratic donors in the cross hairs. —Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025

Ronnie wore a white robe and cradled a cross in his arms. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Verb

How Fentanyl Enters the U.S.: Mexican drug cartels are turning thousands of Americans into fentanyl smugglers, sending an army of couriers who can easily cross between both countries. —Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025

Chastain gives her riskiest performance in some time as a rich arts patron who encourages Fernando to cross the border illegally in order for her foundation to give an American showcase of his art. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, Adjective, Preposition, and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English, from Old Norse or Old Irish; Old Norse kross, from Old Irish cros, from Latin cruc-, crux

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Preposition

1551, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1577, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cross

• at cross-purposes
• Calvary cross
• Celtic cross
• cross action
• cross-check
• cross-claim
• cross contamination
• cross-country
• cross-cultural
• cross-curricular
• cross-dressing
• cross-examination
• cross-eye
• cross-fertile
• cross-fertilization
• cross-fertilize
• cross-file
• cross fire
• cross-grained
• cross-index
• cross-legged
• cross-link
• cross-linkage
• cross multiply
• cross my heart
• cross my heart and hope to die
• cross-national
• cross off
• cross of Lorraine
• cross oneself
• cross one's fingers
• cross out
• cross over
• cross-ownership
• cross paths
• cross-pollinate
• cross-pollination
• cross product
• cross promote
• cross promotion
• cross-purpose
• cross-question
• cross-reaction
• cross-refer
• cross-reference
• cross-resistance
• cross section
• cross-sell
• cross someone's face
• cross someone's mind
• cross-staff
• cross-stitch
• cross swords
• cross talk
• cross that bridge when one comes to it
• cross the line
• cross the picket line
• cross to bear
• cross-tolerance
• cross-trade
• cross-train
• cross-trainer
• cross up
• cross vault
• cyclo-cross
• double cross
• Geneva cross
• Greek cross
• Latin cross
• Lorraine cross
• Maltese cross
• papal cross
• patriarchal cross
• pectoral cross
• Saint Andrew's cross
• Saint Anthony's cross
• sign of the cross
• single cross
• ski cross
• St. Andrew's cross
• St. Anthony's cross
• stations of the cross
• tau cross
• the sign of the cross

Kids Definition

cross

1 of 3 noun

ˈkrȯs 

1

a

: a structure consisting of one bar crossing another at right angles

b

often capitalized : the cross on which Jesus was crucified used as a symbol of Christianity and the Christian religion

2

: sorrow or suffering as a test of patience or virtue

had their crosses to bear

3

: an object or mark shaped like a cross

a stone cross

put a cross next to the name

4

a

: an act of crossing unlike individuals

b

: a crossbred individual or kind

5

: a punch that crosses over an opponent's punch in boxing

cross

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to lie or be situated across

put a nail where the boards cross each other

b

: intersect sense 1

where two lines cross

c

: to move, pass, or extend across

a bridge crossing the river

cross the street

2

: to make the sign of the cross on or over (as in prayer)

3

: to cancel by marking a cross on or drawing a line through

cross names off a list

cross out a mistake

4

: to place one over the other

cross the arms

5

: to act against : oppose

don't cross me

6

: to draw a line across

cross your t's

7

: interbreed, hybridize

8

: to pass in opposite directions

our letters crossed in the mail

9

: to occur to

it never crossed my mind

10

: to turn (the eyes) inward toward the nose

his eyes were crossed

cross

3 of 3 adjective

1

: lying or moving across

cross traffic

2

: contrary entry 2 sense 1

3

: marked by bad temper : grumpy

crossly adverb

crossness noun

Etymology

Noun

Old English cros, probably from an early Norse or an early Irish word derived from Latin crux "cross" — related to crucial, cruise, crusade, crux, excruciating

Medical Definition

cross

1 of 3 noun

ˈkrȯs 

1

: a device composed of an upright bar traversed by a horizontal one

2

a

: an act of crossing dissimilar individuals

b

: a crossbred individual or kind

cross

2 of 3 transitive verb

: to cause (an animal or plant) to interbreed with one of a different kind : hybridize

the crossing of two cattle breeds

intransitive verb

: interbreed, hybridize

cross

3 of 3 adjective

: crossbred, hybrid

Geographical Definition

Cross

geographical name

ˈkrȯs 

river 300 miles (483 kilometers) long in western Cameroon and southeastern Nigeria flowing west and south into the Gulf of Guinea

Biographical Definition

Cross

biographical name

ˈkrȯs 

Wilbur Lucius 1862–1948 American educator and politician