- across
- 1
preposition
1 going, looking etc from one side of a space, area, or line to the other side: flying across the Atlantic | We gazed across the valley. | Would you like me to help you across the road? (=help you to cross it)2 reaching or spreading from one side of an area to the other: a deep crack across the ceiling | the only bridge across the river | Slowly a smile spread across her face. | Do you think this shirt is too tight across the shoulders? | right across: The damn fool has parked right across the entrance to the drive way.3 on or towards the opposite side of something: My best friend lives across the road. | Jim yelled across the street to his son. | just across: He knew that just across the border lay freedom. | across sth from: Across the street from where we're standing, you can see the old churchyard.4 in every part of a country, organization etc: a TV series that became popular across five continents | right across: Teachers are expected to teach a range of subjects right across the curriculum.2 adverb1 from one side of something to the other: There isn't a bridge. We'll have to swim across. | We'd got halfway across before Philip realized he'd left his money at home.2 if you go, look, shout etc across to someone, you go, look or shout across an area to the place where they are: There's Brendan. Why don't you go across and say hello? | I'm just taking this food across to Sarah. Won't be long. | across to/at: The referee looked across at his linesman before awarding the penalty.3 10 feet/10 miles etc across if something is 10 feet etc across, that is how wide it is: At its widest point the river is 2 km across.4 across from opposite something or someone: a woman sitting across from me on the train
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.