# crossing

Pronunciation: US/AUS say "KRAW-sing" /ˈkɹɔsɪŋ/; UK say "KRO-sing" /ˈkɹɒsɪŋ/

## Noun

1. An intersection where roads, lines, or railroad tracks cross one another.
   - Simple: A place where two or more roads, paths, or train tracks meet and cross.
   - _Engineers redesigned the crossing where three rail lines converge._
   - _Accidents are common at crossings without warning lights._
2. A place where a river, railroad, or highway may be crossed from one side to the other.
   - Simple: A spot where you can get across a river, road, or railway.
   - _The bridge replaced an ancient river crossing used for centuries._
   - _Settlers built their town near a natural crossing of the two trails._
3. A voyage from one side of a body of water to the other by boat or ship.
   - Simple: A trip by boat or ship across a sea, lake, or river.
   - _The Atlantic crossing once took weeks under sail._
   - _Storms delayed their crossing to the mainland by a full day._
4. The act of moving across a stretch of land, a road, or similar ground.
   - Simple: The act of going across a road, field, or other area.
   - _The crossing of the mountain range tested every climber's strength._
   - _Soldiers practiced a quick crossing of open ground under cover._
6. Ellipsis of pedestrian crossing. *(Philippines)* — Ellipsis of pedestrian crossing.
   - Simple: Short form of pedestrian crossing. It means a marked spot to walk across a road.
   - _A driver stopped to let pedestrians use the crossing._
   - _The new crossing has flashing lights for safety._
7. The mating of two different breeds, varieties, or species to produce offspring.
   - Simple: The mixing of two different breeds or plant types to make a new kind.
   - _The crossing of wild and domestic strains improved disease resistance._
   - _Repeated crossings produced a hardier wheat variety._
8. Movement of two things into a position where they lie across each other.
   - Simple: The act of putting two things across each other, like your arms or legs.
   - _The dancer's crossing of the ankles marked the end of the move._
   - _A nervous crossing of the fingers gave away his hope._
9. The act of opposing or thwarting someone, going against what they want.
   - Simple: The act of going against someone or blocking what they want to do.
   - _The minister resented any crossing of his authority._
   - _Their constant crossing of the captain's orders bred mutiny._
10. In a cross-shaped church, the central space where the nave, chancel, and transepts intersect, often topped by a tower or dome.
   - Simple: In a cross-shaped church, the open space in the middle where the main parts meet.
   - _A great stone tower rises directly over the crossing._
   - _The architect placed the choir just east of the crossing._
11. A pair of parallel lines printed or drawn across a check, directing that it be paid only into a bank account rather than cashed.
   - Simple: Two lines drawn across a check, telling the bank to pay it into an account only.
   - _The two lines of the crossing told the teller to refuse cash payment._
   - _Banks honor a crossing by depositing the funds rather than handing over cash._
12. In the drawing of a graph, a place where two edges intersect one another.
   - Simple: In a drawing of a network, a spot where two lines cross each other.
   - _A planar graph can be drawn with no crossing at all._
   - _Reducing the number of crossings simplified the circuit layout._
13. The use of a language variety by a speaker who does not belong to the group it normally belongs to.
   - Simple: Using the way of speaking that belongs to a group you are not part of.
   - _The study examined crossing among teenagers who adopted features of other groups' speech._
   - _Such crossing can build bridges or cause offense, depending on intent._

## Verb

5. Present participle of cross. — present participle and gerund of cross
   - Simple: Present participle of cross. Use this form for the -ing version of the verb.
   - _The hikers were crossing the ridge when the storm hit._
   - _He kept crossing items off his list all afternoon._

## Adjective

14. Extending or lying across something else, running in a sideways or crosswise direction. *(rare)*
   - Simple: Lying or going across something, in a sideways direction.
   - _The crossing timbers gave the bridge its strength._
   - _A pattern of crossing lines covered the fabric._

## Origin

Formed from "cross" combined with the suffix "-ing."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/crossing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).