as in sampling
a number of things selected from a group to stand for the whole
a television ratings service that monitors the viewing of a representative cross section of the general population
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cross section
The scrappy, gender-bending show appeals to a unique cross section of theater kids and history buffs, with many audience members returning with their fathers.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The audience, representing a cross section of Americans, burst out laughing.
—Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
The gathering comes one day after top lawmakers held meetings with a cross section of House Republicans to discuss a pair of contentious sticking points in the Trump agenda bill, but failed to strike any agreements.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 1 May 2025
Friction point: The Trump administration's wide-reaching and ground-shaking policies have mobilized a varied cross section of Americans affected by political, economic, social and legal changes.
—Erin Alberty, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross section
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The audience, representing a cross section of Americans, burst out laughing.
—Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
The gathering comes one day after top lawmakers held meetings with a cross section of House Republicans to discuss a pair of contentious sticking points in the Trump agenda bill, but failed to strike any agreements.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 1 May 2025
Friction point: The Trump administration's wide-reaching and ground-shaking policies have mobilized a varied cross section of Americans affected by political, economic, social and legal changes.
—Erin Alberty, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross section
Noun
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Delray Beach was also seeking compensation for the costs and expenses related to the past, present and future investigation, sampling, testing and assessment of the extent of PFAS contamination along with PFAS removal.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
29 June 2025
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This drone, outfitted with an arm, is to be deployed for rock sampling at locations greater than 300 feet (over 100 meters) from the lander.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
29 June 2025
Noun
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But there’s also enough of a sample size, defender Chris McVey said, to believe last week’s lapses were merely a one-off.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
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Specifically, the suit says that a sample of Casamigos Blanco contained just 33 percent ethanol derived from agave, and a sample of the Reposado expression contained about 42 percent ethanol derived from agave—levels that fall below the 51 percent that is required even for a mixto.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cross section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross%20section. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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