Definition of "across" in English

preposition

1. 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.

2. On the opposite side of (something that lies between two points of interest).

   • That store is across the street.

3. (Southern US, African-American Vernacular) across from: on the opposite side, relative to something that lies between, from (a point of interest).

   • And make sure you're parked across the mall in the outside lot. […] Last time I was there, I parked in a parking structure and paid an arm and a leg for it.

4. 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?

5. At or near the far end of (a space).

6. Spanning.

   • This poetry speaks across the centuries.

7. Throughout.

   • All across the country, voters were communicating their representatives.

8. 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.

9. In possession of full, up-to-date information about; abreast of.

   • Keep across all the latest news here at Channel 10.

adverb

1. From one side to the other.

   • she helped the blind man across; the river is half a mile across

2. On the other side.

   • If we sail off at noon, when will we be across?

3. In a particular direction.

   • He leaned across for a book.

4. (crosswording) Horizontally.

   • I got stuck on 4 across.

noun

1. (crosswording, often in combination) A word that runs horizontally in the completed puzzle grid or its associated clue.

   • I solved all of the acrosses, but then got stuck on 3 down.