# Ross

/ˈɹɑs/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ross
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a high piece of land that sticks out into the sea. It is a word used mostly in Scotland and parts of Ireland for a cliff or a small hill.

For teachers: a promontory, headland, or steep hill. Primarily a dialectal term found in Scottish and Irish toponymy.

## Examples

- The old lighthouse stands on the rocky ross overlooking the bay.
- The hikers followed the coastal path until they reached the ross, where the wind was much stronger.
- From the summit of the ross, the jagged coastline stretches out in both directions, revealing the sheer scale of the Atlantic's erosive power over the centuries.

## Usage notes

- Commonly appears as a prefix or suffix in place names across Scotland and Ireland.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.