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

• cross

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

The neighborhoods intersect with the Monon Trail, an extensive bike and pedestrian trail that runs through the city. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2025

That warmth, however, intersected with the chaotic subculture emerging around the film’s production, one rife with drug use. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025

There are clearly consequences of what happened 80 years ago, but music and politics intersect today. —Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025

Well, any two quadratic polynomials can only intersect in two points. —Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 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

Rhymes for intersect

• architect
• circumspect
• deselect
• dialect
• disconnect
• disinfect
• disrespect
• incorrect
• indirect
• intellect
• interject
• pluperfect

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