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
Indeed, the conversation inspired a scene in his 2015 film, Taxi, which featured Panahi as a driver interacting with a cross section of Iranian society.
—
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
If so, under what rules of engagement? Leaders in the industry are working to ensure that future thanks to a cross section of professionals.
—Osayi Endolyn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2025
Coach had to keep innovating by offering exciting products, anchored in bags, with aesthetics and prices that appealed to a larger cross section of consumers.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Since 1999 Goldfinger and his team have been drilling into the seafloor at this tectonic crossroads, known as the Mendocino Triple Junction, to pull up cores that show a cross section of the sediments that have built up there.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross section
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Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
If so, under what rules of engagement? Leaders in the industry are working to ensure that future thanks to a cross section of professionals.
—Osayi Endolyn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2025
Coach had to keep innovating by offering exciting products, anchored in bags, with aesthetics and prices that appealed to a larger cross section of consumers.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Since 1999 Goldfinger and his team have been drilling into the seafloor at this tectonic crossroads, known as the Mendocino Triple Junction, to pull up cores that show a cross section of the sediments that have built up there.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross section
Cite this Entry
“Cross section.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20section. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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