variants or kiss and cry
plural kiss-and-cries or kiss and cries
: an area adjacent to a skating rink where figure skaters wait for their marks immediately after performing in a competition
In recent Olympic figure skating, we watched athletes with no chance at medals who were ecstatic in the kiss-and-cry because they had done their best.Howard Gensler
Their score [in an Olympic skating event], about two points off their season's best, had Moir's brows furrowed in a frown in the kiss and cryLori Ewing
He left the ice with a twirl and an arm extended toward the small but adoring crowd before moving to the kiss-and-cry area to hear his scores.Abbotsford (British Columbia) News

Examples of kiss-and-cry in a Sentence

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.
In the meantime, the kiss-and-cry will remain centerstage for some of the most emotional moments of the Olympics. Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026 While Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron skated, Chock and Bates held hands sitting next to the kiss-and-cry. Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 The activation continues in Milan, while other sponsor products are coming into view, such as Puffs tissues from sponsor P&G, situated in the figure skating kiss-and-cry area. Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 11 Feb. 2026 But in the kiss-and-cry area, what should’ve been the happiest moment of their lives turned into one of shock. Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026 She was soon joined in the kiss-and-cry area by Liu and Levito, the now U.S. triumvirate for the Milan Cortina Games, who will be trying to earn the American women their first medal since 2006 — and perhaps their first gold since 2002. CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026 On the opening night, 16-year-old Sophie Joline Von Felten — another member of the Skating Club of Boston — brought two photos of her own to the kiss-and-cry area. Dave Skretta, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026 Naumov held a photo of his parents in the kiss-and-cry area after his skate. Lillian Karabaic, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026 On the opening night, 16-year-old Sophie Joline Von Felten — another member of the Skating Club of Boston — brought two photos of her own to the kiss-and-cry area. Dave Skretta, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kiss-and-cry was in 1987

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Cite this Entry

“Kiss-and-cry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kiss-and-cry. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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