motocross

noun

mo·​to·​cross ˈmō-tō-ˌkrȯs 

variants or less commonly motorcross

ˈmō-tər-ˌkrȯs 

plural motocrosses also motorcrosses

: a closed-course motorcycle race over natural or simulated rough terrain (as with steep inclines, hairpin turns, and mud)

… has brought in some 75,000 visitors during the past six months. They have come to participate in such activities as square dance contests, Highland games and motocrosses.

—Judith Segal and Linn Varney

also : the sport of engaging in motocross races

If you think racing motocross is a tough sport now—just take yourself back 30 years to the early '70s.

—Dirt Rider

Motocross began around 1914 as a form of relaxation for employees at an English motorcycle factory. It became an international sport in the '50s, mainly in Europe. In the '70s, it took root in America, particularly in Southern California.

—Tracy Young

This versatile space seats 12,000 people for events ranging from basketball to motorcross and world-class ice skating.

—Steve Womersley and Rachel Neustein

In a return for the first event this summer, motocross enthusiasts will once again be able to race at the Taber Motorsports Park this coming weekend.

—Cole Parkinson

Examples of motocross in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The teen motocross prodigy died while competing in the 2025 Mammoth Motocross event in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., on Saturday, June 28, according to an Instagram post from motocross journalist Donn Maeda. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 29 June 2025

For example, the motocross brand 100% outfits most of its new helmets with its proprietary Smartshock system, where a series of tiny elastomers allow the helmets’ inner webbing to move independently of its outer shell while absorbing the forces of impact. —Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Wired News, 8 June 2025

Now, the same 800-acre ranch where Tomac still trains is a sprawling motocross oasis in the shadow of the Battle Rock sandstone formation in McElmo Canyon. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 6 June 2025

Sexton won the 2024 motocross title after Jett Lawrence was injured. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

motocross borrowed from French, from moto "motorcycle" (short for motocyclette) + cross-country "racecourse laid out over open country" (borrowed from English cross-country entry 1); motorcross altered from motocross by conformation to motor entry 1

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for motocross

• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas
• blas

Kids Definition

motocross

noun

mo·​to·​cross ˈmōt-ō-ˌkrȯs 

: a motorcycle race over a course laid out on rough terrain

also : the sport of motocross racing