cross-country

[kraws-kuhn-tree, kros-, kraws-kuhn-tree, -kuhn-, kros-]

adjective

1. directed or proceeding over fields, through woods, etc., rather than on a road or path.

   a cross-country race.

2. from one end of the country to the other.

   a cross-country flight.

noun

plural

cross-countries 

1. a cross-country sport or race.

cross-country

adjective

1. by way of fields, woods, etc, as opposed to roads

   cross-country running

2. across a country

   a cross-country railway

noun

1. a long race held over open ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of cross-country¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

We stuffed my belongings into my tiny Fiat 500 and drove cross-country.

From Los Angeles Times

I returned from a cross-country trip with a razor blade sore throat and a stubborn headache, followed by aches and pains.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve taken a couple of cross-country trips, and I love putting on Motown.

From Los Angeles Times

When you think about it, a cross-country drive without a Cracker Barrel sighting seems almost — well, unthinkable.

From Salon

The initial investigation indicates that Tamura had traveled from Las Vegas to New York, driving a BMW cross-country through Colorado, Nebraska and New Jersey over the weekend.

From Los Angeles Times