Definition of the word cross street

The term "cross street" refers to the intersection where two streets meet at a right angle, forming a point of intersection known as a crossroad. The expression "cross street" is derived from this concept. Initially, the term originated from old English dialects with the phrase "crooked way" which transformed into "cross way" by the Middle English period. The term "cross street" gained wider recognition during the 19th century, when cities and towns began expanding beyond their original grids and the number of intersections proliferated. This expansion resulted in a need for clearer, more specific designations for navigating these newly-formed street networks. In urban planning, the intersection of streets known as a crossroads is a significant feature not only for usability but also for historical and numerical reasons. Cross streets provide a crucial network for travel and transportation, granting access into various neighborhoods and regions of a city. As a testament to this, many prominent locations in cities around the world are named after their respective cross streets, such as Broadway and 42nd Street in New York City. The phrase "cross street" has become a common shorthand for identifying a location within an urban area and is entrenched in both colloquial and official language.