crossing

noun

cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ How to pronounce crossing (audio)
Synonyms of crossingnext
1
: the act or action of crossing: such as
a
: a traversing or traveling across
b
: an opposing, blocking, or thwarting especially in an unfair or dishonest manner
2
a
: a place or structure (as on a street or over a river) where pedestrians or vehicles cross
especially : crosswalk
b
: the place in a cruciform church where the transept crosses the nave
c
: a place where a railroad track crosses a street

Synonyms of crossing

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Examples of crossing in a Sentence

Stop at the railroad crossing. a crossing for ferry boats the crossing of a mountain range a weeklong crossing of the Atlantic Ocean
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.
Those could have facilitated 72,000 migrant crossings, the Home Office said. — Philip Aldrick, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 Life threatening flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses continues. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Aug. 2026 Footage posted on the Forecast Weather Greece Facebook page appeared to show two helicopters crossing paths at low altitude before the main rotor of the lower helicopter struck the underside of the one flying above it and crashed in flames. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026 At least 72 people died in the crossing, and the humanitarian crisis the sudden rush of people caused reignited a debate around immigration in Europe and beyond. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crossing

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crossing was in 1575

Phrases Containing crossing

Rhymes for crossing

See All Rhymes for crossing

Browse Nearby Words

cross infection
crossing
crossing file
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Cite this Entry

“Crossing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossing. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crossing

noun
cross·​ing ˈkrȯ-siŋ How to pronounce crossing (audio)
1
a
: the act of one that crosses
b
: a voyage across water
c
: the act or process of interbreeding or hybridizing
2
: a place where a street or stream is crossed
3
: a place where two things (as a street and a railroad track) cross

More from Merriam-Webster on crossing

Nglish: Translation of crossing for Spanish Speakers

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