intersect

verb

in·​ter·​sect ˌin-tər-ˈsekt 

intersected; intersecting; intersects

transitive verb

: to pierce or divide by passing through or across : cross

a comet intersecting earth's orbit

one line intersects another

intransitive verb

1

: to meet and cross at a point

lines intersecting at right angles

2

: to share a common area : overlap

where morality and self-interest intersect

Synonyms

• bisect
• cross
• cut

Examples of intersect in a Sentence

A dry stream bed intersects the trail in several places.

Line A intersects with line B.

The two roads intersect at the edge of town.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rogan’s stance on cannabis legalization has intersected with political discourse. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025

In that case, the sphere of the LSS never intersects the much larger box of the universe. —Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025

This tension also intersects with freedom of speech in countries with strict hate speech laws, such as Germany and France. —London Business School, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

Dear Miss Perkins traces how immigration law intersected with refugee policy. —Sara Georgini, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin intersectus, past participle of intersecare, from inter- + secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

intersect

verb

in·​ter·​sect ˌint-ər-ˈsekt 

1

: to divide by passing through or across : cross

one line intersecting another

2

: to meet and cross at one or more points

overlapping circles intersect at two points