Is the following information accurate?
(Based partly on previous information on this forum and partly on some input from other pilots. I don't have a copy of the FAR's handy right now.)

For my logbook entries, I can define "cross-country" in any way I see fit (for example, any flight that uses some pilotage.)

To meet the specific "cross-country" flight time requirements for the various ratings, the flight must have a landing 50 miles away from the starting point, except in the case of meeting the experience requirements for ATP.

To meet the experience requirements for ATP rating there is a specific requirement that the flight cover a straight-line distance of 50 miles but there is no requirement that the pilot land before turning back toward home.

Some certificats and ratings require certain amounts of cross time to airports greater than 50 miles.