cross-match: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “cross-match” mean?
To compare and check two or more sets of items or data against each other to ensure compatibility or find matches.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To compare and check two or more sets of items or data against each other to ensure compatibility or find matches.
A procedure or test, especially in medicine (blood typing) or computing, to verify compatibility by comparing samples or datasets from different sources.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is consistent and technical in both varieties. Spelling may differ (cross-match vs. cross-match, both accepted). The hyphen is standard.
Connotations
Strongly associated with medical laboratory procedures (blood banks) and database management. Neutral technical term.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse but standard in specific professional fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cross-match” in a Sentence
to cross-match A with Bto cross-match A against Bto cross-match for compatibilityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross-match” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lab will cross-match the donor blood with the patient's sample before the transfusion.
- The software cross-matches entries from the two spreadsheets to find duplicates.
American English
- The technician needs to cross-match the specimen against the database. (Note: 'specimen' is common in US medical contexts)
- They cross-matched the voter rolls with driver's license records.
adjective
British English
- The cross-match procedure is complete.
- We are awaiting the cross-match results.
American English
- The cross-match test came back negative.
- A cross-match analysis revealed several discrepancies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used in data analysis or security: 'We need to cross-match client records with the new regulatory database.'
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and computational research papers describing comparative methodologies.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used when organizing complex information: 'I cross-matched the guest list with the dietary requirements sheet.'
Technical
Primary domain. Standard term in transfusion medicine (haematology), immunology, and database/record linkage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cross-match”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cross-match”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross-match”
- Using as an intransitive verb (e.g., 'The data cross-matches' is less common).
- Confusing 'cross-match' with 'match' (which is simpler) or 'cross-reference' (which is about citations).
- Omitting the hyphen, which can cause readability issues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Match' simply means to correspond or be similar. 'Cross-match' implies a deliberate, technical, and often reciprocal comparison of two distinct sets (like donor and recipient) to ensure safety or compatibility.
In many technical texts, especially medical journals, the closed form 'crossmatch' is also common. However, the hyphenated form 'cross-match' is widely used and often recommended for clarity.
It's possible but uncommon. In everyday situations, simpler words like 'compare', 'check', or 'match up' are more natural. Using 'cross-match' outside technical contexts might sound overly formal or jargonistic.
It's an electronic system that uses software to compare a patient's blood type and antibody history with a donor unit's blood type, often replacing a manual serological test for certain repeat transfusions when specific criteria are met.
To compare and check two or more sets of items or data against each other to ensure compatibility or find matches.
Cross-match is usually technical/formal in register.
Cross-match: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒs ˌmætʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɔːs ˌmætʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CROSSroads where two lists MEET to be MATCHed. Or, in a hospital, a CROSS (X) is drawn between compatible blood samples.
Conceptual Metaphor
VERIFICATION IS ALIGNMENT / COMPATIBILITY IS A FIT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cross-match' MOST specifically and commonly used?