Plain English Meaning

The short part of the airport traffic pattern where you fly across the end of the runway, at 90 degrees to it, after taking off and before turning to fly back parallel to the runway.

Full Definition

A flight path at right angles to the landing runway, flown off its takeoff end as part of the standard airport traffic pattern. It connects the upwind leg to the downwind leg.

Context Anchor

Used when describing the airport traffic pattern, especially during takeoff, landing practice, and radio calls at non-towered airports.

Derivation

Called 'crosswind' because in a standard flown into the on takeoff, this leg crosses the wind at roughly 90 degrees. The name describes the to the on this , not a wind you have to deal with.