cross

1 of 5

noun

ˈkrȯs

Synonyms of cross next

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

often capitalized : the cross on which Jesus was crucified

: crucifixion

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

We all have our crosses to bear.

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

: 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

capitalized : the Christian religion

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

a cross over a grave

: 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

: a cruciform badge, emblem, or decoration

: the intersection of two ways or lines : crossing

: annoyance, thwarting

a cross in love

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

: a crossbred individual or kind

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

: one that combines characteristics of two different types or individuals

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

: a fraudulent or dishonest contest

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

George Bernard Shaw

: dishonest or illegal practices

—used especially in the phrase on the cross

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

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

hit him with a right cross

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

: 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

: to lie or be situated across

: intersect

: to make the sign of the cross upon or over

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

cross names off a list

: to place or fold crosswise one over the other

cross the arms

a(1)

: to run counter to : oppose

(2)

: to deny the validity of : contradict

: 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

: to extend across or over : traverse

a highway crossing the entire state

: reach, attain

Only two crossed the finish line.

: to go from one side of to the other

cross a street

crosses racial barriers

: to draw a line across

: to mark or figure with lines : streak

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

: to meet and pass on the way

Our letters must have crossed each other.

: to occur to

It never crossed my mind.

: to carry or take across something

crossed the children at the intersection

: to turn (the eyes) inward toward the nose

The boy made a funny face and crossed his eyes.

intransitive verb

: to move, pass, or extend across something

crossed through France

crossed over to the other side of the river

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

—used with over

crossing over to vote for another party's candidate

: to lie or be athwart each other

: to meet in passing especially from opposite directions

: interbreed, hybridize

crosser noun

cross

3 of 5

adjective

: lying across or athwart

: moving across

cross traffic

: running counter : opposite

: mutually opposed

cross purposes

: involving mutual interchange : reciprocal

: marked by typically transitory bad temper

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

a cross sample from 25 colleges

: crossbred, hybrid

crossly adverb

crossness noun

cross

4 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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

But by 1950-51, Bear had worked out a way to make uni-directional glass that eliminated the cross threads, so the material could be used on the inside of the bow as well. —

Clare Conley, Outdoor Life, 18 Sep. 2025 Mushi is a seven-month-old Maltipoo puppy, a cross between a Maltese and a miniature or toy poodle, and is adored by his owners Carmen and Bryan, 27, from California. —

Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

Verb

The smallest, what are called ultrafine particles, even slip through the alveolar capillary barrier itself, crossing into the bloodstream, and from there travel throughout the body, including to the heart, the brain, and the kidneys to initiate even more destruction and disease (see below). —

Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Back then, the thought of ending up on the bench as a major-league manager hadn’t even crossed Montgomery’s mind. —

Andrew Wagner, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cross

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of cross was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing cross

Browse Nearby Words

crosnes

cross

Cross

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cross.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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Kids Definition

cross

1 of 3 noun

ˈkrȯs

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

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

: sorrow or suffering as a test of patience or virtue

had their crosses to bear

: an object or mark shaped like a cross

a stone cross

put a cross next to the name

: an act of crossing unlike individuals

: a crossbred individual or kind

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

cross

2 of 3 verb

: to lie or be situated across

put a nail where the boards cross each other

: intersect sense 1

where two lines cross

: to move, pass, or extend across

a bridge crossing the river

cross the street

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

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

cross names off a list

cross out a mistake

: to place one over the other

cross the arms

: to act against : oppose

don't cross me

: to draw a line across

cross your t's

: interbreed, hybridize

: to pass in opposite directions

our letters crossed in the mail

: to occur to

it never crossed my mind

: to turn (the eyes) inward toward the nose

his eyes were crossed

cross

3 of 3 adjective

: lying or moving across

cross traffic

: contrary entry 2 sense 1

: 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

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

: an act of crossing dissimilar individuals

: 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

Last Updated: 19 Sep 2025 - Updated example sentences

cross

noun

Illustration of cross

verb

adjective

preposition

adverb

Synonyms

Examples of cross in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing cross

Rhymes for cross

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Share

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Geographical Definition

geographical name

Biographical Definition

biographical name

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