Ability of a programming language (such as Java) that enables programmers to develop software for several competing platforms by writing a program only once. Cross-platform software can run on most or all systems with little or no modification. Also called multi-platform.Software that can run on multiple types of computer systems. For example, the graphics program Adobe Photoshop and the word processor Microsoft Word are both available for the Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Therefore, Photoshop and Word are considered to be crossplatform applications.While "crossplatorm" is typically used to describe computer software, it can refer to hardware as well. For example, peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, and digital cameras that work on both Mac and PC are crossplatorm.