cross section

noun

1

a

: a cutting or piece of something cut off at right angles to an axis

also : a representation of such a cutting

b

: section sense 3b

2

: a measure of the probability of an encounter between particles such as will result in a specified effect (such as scattering or capture)

3

: a composite representation typifying the constituents of a thing in their relations

cross-section transitive verb

cross-sectional

ˈkrȯs-ˈsek-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• sample
• sampler
• sampling
• selection
• slice

Examples of cross section in a Sentence

a detailed cross section of the human brain

The drawing showed the human brain in cross section.

The class surveyed a cross section of the student body.

The people in our neighborhood are a representative cross section of American society.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the cross section of sports and entertainment, with help from pop star Taylor Swift, the Kelces have become the reigning royal family in media from brothers Jason and Travis Kelce to family matriarch Donna Kelce. —Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

Or grab a seat in the Canteen’s backyard, where the beach party atmosphere draws a lively cross section of Provincetown — townie and tourist, young and old, gay and straight alike. —Brett Sokol, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2024

In 2022, though the West imposed sanctions against a much broader cross section of the Russian establishment, a similar dynamic played out. —Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2023

There are intergenerational rifts, former friends with unfinished business, a cross section of characters who feel misunderstood or overlooked by the people around them. —Judy Berman, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

cross section

noun

1

a

: a cutting made across something (as a log or an apple)

b

: a representation of a cross section

a cross section of a blood vessel

2

: a number of persons or things selected from a group to stand for the whole

cross-sectional

ˈkrȯs-ˈsek-sh(ə-)nəl

adjective

Medical Definition

cross section

noun

: a cutting or piece of something cut off at right angles to an axis

also : a representation of such a cutting

cross-sectional

ˌkrȯ(s)-ˈsek-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective