crossbencher

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noun

A member of a legislature who belongs to a political party or coalition that is not in government or official opposition (the largest party or coalition not in government), or is independent; a member of the crossbench.

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Meanings

nouncrossbencher (plural crossbenchers)

plural crossbenchers

  1. AustralianNew ZealandgovernmentA member of a legislature who belongs to a political party or coalition that is not in government or official opposition (the largest party or coalition not in government), or is independent; a member of the crossbench.
  2. UKalternativegovernmentAlternative form of cross-bencher.

    He has just become Lord Hendy, and will take his place in the House of Lords on December 12. He will be a Crossbencher, which means he will not represent a political party.

    2022 November 30, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Hendy drops GBR name but reform plans proceed”, in RAIL, number 971, page 12

Origin

From crossbench + -er.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

crossbencher. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/crossbencher

MLA

“crossbencher.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/crossbencher. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “crossbencher,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/crossbencher.

Source: crossbencher on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.