cross-bench: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, political
Quick answer
What does “cross-bench” mean?
Relating to members of a legislative assembly who do not consistently support any single political party.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to members of a legislative assembly who do not consistently support any single political party.
Independent or neutral position in parliamentary systems; also used metaphorically for any independent stance in decision-making bodies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Common in UK political discourse; rarely used in US politics where 'independent' or 'swing voter' are preferred.
Connotations
UK: implies parliamentary independence and thoughtful consideration of issues. US: unfamiliar term with no established connotation.
Frequency
High frequency in UK political reporting; very low frequency in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “cross-bench” in a Sentence
cross-bench + noun (modifier)sit on the cross benchesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross-bench” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cross-bench peers proposed a compromise amendment.
American English
- The independent senators took a cross-bench approach to the legislation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might describe independent board members.
Academic
Political science discussions of parliamentary systems.
Everyday
Very rare outside political discussions.
Technical
Parliamentary procedure and political analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cross-bench”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cross-bench”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross-bench”
- Using as a verb (*'He cross-benched the vote')
- Confusing with 'cross-party' (which involves cooperation between parties).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it functions only as an adjective or noun modifier in parliamentary contexts.
Rarely; Americans typically use 'independent' or 'swing voter' instead.
'Cross-bench' refers to independent members, while 'cross-party' involves cooperation between different political parties.
On benches perpendicular to the government and opposition benches, often between them.
Relating to members of a legislative assembly who do not consistently support any single political party.
Cross-bench is usually formal, political in register.
Cross-bench: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒsˌbentʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɔːsˌbentʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sit on the cross benches”
- “take a cross-bench view”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine benches in parliament crossing the aisle between government and opposition sides.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEUTRALITY AS A PHYSICAL POSITION BETWEEN OPPOSITES
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cross-bench' most commonly used?