motocross

noun

mo·​to·​cross ˈmō-tō-ˌkrȯs 

variants or less commonly motorcross

ˈmō-tər-ˌkrȯs 

plural motocrosses also motorcrosses

: a closed-course motorcycle race over natural or simulated rough terrain (as with steep inclines, hairpin turns, and mud)

… has brought in some 75,000 visitors during the past six months. They have come to participate in such activities as square dance contests, Highland games and motocrosses.

—Judith Segal and Linn Varney

also : the sport of engaging in motocross races

If you think racing motocross is a tough sport now—just take yourself back 30 years to the early '70s.

—Dirt Rider

Motocross began around 1914 as a form of relaxation for employees at an English motorcycle factory. It became an international sport in the '50s, mainly in Europe. In the '70s, it took root in America, particularly in Southern California.

—Tracy Young

This versatile space seats 12,000 people for events ranging from basketball to motorcross and world-class ice skating.

—Steve Womersley and Rachel Neustein

In a return for the first event this summer, motocross enthusiasts will once again be able to race at the Taber Motorsports Park this coming weekend.

—Cole Parkinson

Examples of motocross in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nahmias is gearing up to return to Paris to show his fall 2025 collection which will take inspiration from ‘90s motocross, Pismo Beach and sand dunes. —Marissa Muller, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024

Adventure sports like parkour, slacklining, motocross, rodeo, skiing, and snowboarding also pose concussion risks, Wilson and Grishman said. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

For the Heaton brothers, Belstaff reminds them of their father, who loved riding motocross and was always decked out in Belstaff. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024

Long a discussion in motocross circles, the same riders and manufacturers race in the two. —Maury Brown, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

motocross borrowed from French, from moto "motorcycle" (short for motocyclette) + cross-country "racecourse laid out over open country" (borrowed from English cross-country entry 1); motorcross altered from motocross by conformation to motor entry 1

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

motocross

noun

mo·​to·​cross ˈmōt-ō-ˌkrȯs 

: a motorcycle race over a course laid out on rough terrain

also : the sport of motocross racing