across

[ uh-kraws, uh-kros ]

preposition

1. from one side to the other of:

   a bridge across a river.

2. on or to the other side of; beyond:

   across the sea.

3. into contact with; into the presence of, usually by accident:

   to come across an old friend; to run across a first edition of Byron.

4. crosswise of or transversely to the length of something; athwart:

   coats across the bed; straddled across the boundary line.

adverb

1. from one side to another.
2. on the other side:

   We'll soon be across.

3. crosswise; transversely:

   with arms across.

4. so as to be understood or learned:

   He couldn't get the idea across to the class.

5. into a desired or successful state:

   to put a business deal across.

adjective

1. being in a crossed or transverse position; crosswise:

   an across pattern of supporting beams.

across

/ əˈkrɒs /

preposition

1. from one side to the other side of
2. on or at the other side of
3. so as to transcend boundaries or barriers

   the study of linguistics across cultures

   people united across borders by religion and history

4. fully informed about; dealing with

   we are across this problem

adverb

1. from one side to the other
2. on or to the other side

Word History and Origins

Origin of across¹

First recorded in 1470–80; a- ¹ + cross

Word History and Origins

Origin of across¹

C13: on croice, acros, from Old French a croix crosswise

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with across , also see come across ; cut across ; get across ; put across ; run across .

Example Sentences

The researchers studied more than 700 samples taken from archeological sites across Europe and parts of what is modern-day Russia.

From Science Daily

They also said methanol poisonings are reported to consulates across the region.

From BBC

It was felt across the city and sent everyone including the BBC team to bomb shelters.

From BBC

Through at least the end of the month, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an increased chance for above-average rainfall across much of California, but predictions stretching into mid-December become less clear.

From Los Angeles Times

Brown's peaches aren't your everyday peaches, they're heirlooms: direct descendants of peach seeds brought across the continent on the Trail of Tears.

From Salon

Related Words

• crossways
• crosswise
• transversely