Real Dictionary

cross-country
Cross-country is the sport of running, riding, or skiing across open countryside rather than along roads or around a running track.

cross-country in American English
adjective: directed or proceeding over fields, through woods, etc., rather than on a road or path
noun: a cross-country sport or race

cross-country in British English
across open country through woods and fields, etc.
by way of fields, woods, etc, as opposed to roads
noun: the sport of cross-country running, skiing, riding, or motoring