Across dictionary definition

across

[ə krôs′, ə kräs′]

adverb

The definition of across is on the other side or from the other side.
To walk over a bridge is an example of to walk across.

preposition

Across is defined as from one side to the other.
Houses on opposite sides of the street is an example of across.

A family walks across a bridge.

adverb

Origin of across

Middle English acros ; from a-, on, in + cros, cross, after Anglo-French an croix

preposition

adverb

From one side to the other: The footbridge swayed when I ran across.
On or to the opposite side: We came across by ferry.
Crosswise; crossed.
In such a manner as to be comprehensible, acceptable, or successful: put our idea across; get a message across.

adjective

Being in a crossed position: seated with arms across.

Origin of across

Middle English acrois, from Anglo-Norman an croiz : an, in (from Latin in; see in–²) + croiz, cross (from Latin crux; see Cross ).

Preposition

To, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
We rowed across the river.
Fortunately, there was a bridge across the river.
He came across the street to meet me.
On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
That store is across the street.
(Southern US, African American Vernacular) On the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).
From one side to the other within (a space being traversed).
The meteor streaked across the sky.
He walked across the room.
Could you slide that across the table to me, please?
At or near the far end of (a space).
Spanning.
This poetry speaks across the centuries.
Throughout.
All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.
So as to intersect or pass through or over at an angle.
Lay the top stick across the bottom one.
She had straps fastened across the conduit every six feet.

Related terms

Adverb

(not comparable)

From one side to the other.
she helped the blind man across; the river is half a mile across
On the other side.
If we sail off at noon, when will we be across?
In a particular direction.
He leaned across for a book.
(crosswords) Horizontally.
I got stuck on 4 across.

Noun

(plural acrosses)

(crosswords) A clue whose solution runs horizontally in the grid.
I solved all of the acrosses, but then got stuck on 3 down.

Origin

Middle English acros, from a-croiz, from Anglo-Norman an (“on”) + Old French croiz (“in the form of a cross”), from Latin crux