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
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
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
According to organizers, more than 25,000 people are expected to come out for a cross section of French fashion, culture, film, food and fun to commemorate the French national holiday marking the anniversary of the beginning of the French Revolution.
—
Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 11 July 2024
Richwine has been on the project since conceptual design, which sought a uniform aircraft cross section to achieve NASA’s low-boom goals, while using a cost-effective approach to test the airframe shape and other details.
—Julie Boatman, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
The community, though, is much more than a cross section of consequences of the country’s poorest policy decisions, which are now so dire the majority of Americans feel intense stress and uncertainty about their ability to buy homes and even keep food on the table.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 29 June 2024
Then, bespoke algorithms stitch the individual cross sections together into a single sheet.
—Tomas Weber, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cross section 
Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 11 July 2024
Richwine has been on the project since conceptual design, which sought a uniform aircraft cross section to achieve NASA’s low-boom goals, while using a cost-effective approach to test the airframe shape and other details.
—Julie Boatman, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
The community, though, is much more than a cross section of consequences of the country’s poorest policy decisions, which are now so dire the majority of Americans feel intense stress and uncertainty about their ability to buy homes and even keep food on the table.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 29 June 2024
Then, bespoke algorithms stitch the individual cross sections together into a single sheet.
—Tomas Weber, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cross section
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cross section.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cross section
Cite this Entry
“Cross section.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20section. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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