cross-filed; cross-filing; cross-files

intransitive verb

: to register as a candidate in the primary elections of more than one political party

transitive verb

: to register (a person) as a candidate for more than one party

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cross-file was in 1949

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cross-file.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-file. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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