ə-ˈkrȯs 
chiefly dialectal -ˈkrȯst
1
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
Robert Goralski
b
: so as to include or take into consideration all classes or categories
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
: 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
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Last month, however, it was announced that Forever 21 would permanently shut down its stores across the U.S. after filing for bankruptcy for the second time.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Martin Fackler, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The slow ride across is relaxing and often yields dolphin sightings.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Preposition
This episode of In Depth With Graham Bensinger will also debut in broadcast syndication across the U.S. this weekend.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Last month, however, it was announced that Forever 21 would permanently shut down its stores across the U.S. after filing for bankruptcy for the second time.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adverb
When Lake Suwa freezes, its surface hardens into a slab some two and a half miles across.
—Martin Fackler, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The slow ride across is relaxing and often yields dolphin sightings.
—Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Across.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/across. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
across
1 of 2 adverb1
: 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 preposition1
: 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
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