across

1 of 3

preposition

ə-ˈkrȯs How to pronounce across (audio)
 chiefly dialectal  -ˈkrȯst
1
a
: from one side to the opposite side of : over, through
swam across the river
b
: on the opposite side of
lives across the street from us
2
: so as to intersect or pass through at an angle
sawed across the grain of the wood
3
: so as to find or meet
Researchers have come across important new evidence.
4
a
: throughout
… obvious interest across the nation.Robert Goralski
b
: so as to include or take into consideration all classes or categories

across

2 of 3

adverb

1
: in a position reaching from one side to the other : crosswise
cut the potato across into thin slices
2
: to or on the opposite side
The stream was small enough to jump across.
3
: so as to be understandable, acceptable, or successful
trying to get an argument across

across

3 of 3

adjective

: being in a crossed position
stood with her arms across

Examples of across in a Sentence

Preposition We took a ferry across the river. We saw them walking across the street. She reached across the table to shake his hand. They traveled back and forth across the border. Airplanes flew across the sky above us. He was seated across the table from me. The accident happened just across the state line. A smile spread across her face. Looking out across the ocean, he saw land. The sun's light spread across the mountains. Adverb The streams are small enough to jump across. They walked across to the other side of the street. They reached across and shook each other's hand. At its widest point, the pond measures 150 feet across. I saw them crossing the street and I waited until they were safely across.
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.
Preposition
To better understand this, the researchers used a machine-learning model to estimate how much fine particulate matter was in the air at every mile marker on the course of nine marathons located across the U.S. between 2003 and 2019. Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 28 Feb. 2025 Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across the country as part of a general strike called to demand justice for the 57 people killed on Feb. 28, 2023, when a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train. Derek Gatopoulos and Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Adverb
These dwarf lantana selections boast all the flower power of larger varieties while growing in a compact mound just 12-inches across. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025 The plant ranges from less than 1 centimeter to 3 to 7 centimeters across, researchers said. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Good information sharing can help retailers figure out what website domains or IP addresses to block, since threat actors are often reusing these across attacks, Clark added. Sam Sabin, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024 From former Housewives including Dorinda Medley and Sonja Morgan, to Shanna Moakler and Jordyn Woods, stars from across industries have dabbled on the adult-only site. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 27 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for across

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

derivative of across entry 2

Adverb

Middle English a-croiz, a-cros "in the shape of a cross, in a crossed position, from one side to another," borrowed from Anglo-French en croiz (from en "in, on"—going back to Latin in— + croiz "cross," going back to Latin cruc-, crux) with assimilation of Anglo-French croiz to cros cross entry 1 and en to a- a- entry 1 — more at in entry 1

Adjective

derivative of across entry 2

First Known Use

Preposition

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of across was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Across.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/across. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

across

1 of 2 adverb
1
: from one side to the other
boards sawed directly across
2
: to or on the opposite side
got across in a boat
3
: so as to be understandable or successful
get the message across

across

2 of 2 preposition
1
: to or on the opposite side of
across the street
2
: so as to cross or pass at an angle
lay one stick across another

More from Merriam-Webster on across

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