English Reference
adjective

cross platform

adj.

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    describes software that works on different operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    denoting software or applications designed to be compatible with multiple operating systems or hardware architectures.

    Simple

    The company released a cross-platform version of the app for both Android and iPhone users.

    In context

    Developing a cross-platform framework allowed the team to maintain a single codebase while deploying to various desktop and mobile environments.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

    multi platforminteroperable
    platform specificnative
  2. 02 C1 Advanced British EnglishTechnical

    describes a station layout where you can change between two different trains just by walking across the same platform.

    referring to an interchange between two different railway lines where passengers can transfer by crossing a single island platform.

    Simple

    The station offers a convenient cross-platform transfer between the local and express lines.

    In context

    The modernised terminal features cross-platform interchanges to minimise the time passengers spend navigating between different levels of the station.

    Usage

    Primarily used in the context of urban rail and transit planning.


A compound formed from the preposition cross, denoting movement or extension over a boundary, and the noun platform, referring to a specific computing architecture. The term emerged in the 1980s as standardisation became a commercial necessity.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated