cross country

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cross-coun•try /adj. ˈkrɔsˌkʌntri, ˈkrɑs-; n. -ˈkʌntri, -ˌkʌn-/   adj. 

[before a noun]
1. directed or proceeding over fields, through woods, etc., rather than on a road or track:
   a cross-country race.
2. from one end of the country to the other:
   a cross-country flight.

n. [uncountable]

3. Sport a cross-country sport or race:
   a gold medal in cross-country.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cross-coun•try  (adj. krôs′kun′trē, kros′-;n. krôs′kun′trē, -kun′-, kros′-), adj., n., pl. tries. 
adj. 

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.

n. 

3. a cross-country sport or race.

• 1760–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cross-country adjective , adverb

1. by way of fields, woods, etc, as opposed to roads
2. across a country
3. of or relating to skiing over flattish terrain, as opposed to downhill

noun

1. the sport of cross-country running, skiing, riding, or motoring