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 of intersect

• 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

But faculty say the fields are broad, intersecting with health, disability studies, literature, education, information studies and public policy. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026

This tells us that belonging doesn’t announce itself but lives in the ways our lives intersect. —Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026

Despite the large swath of the Midcontinent Rift through Iowa, Clark said the state geological survey, housed at the University of Iowa, has only 24 borehole samples that were drilled deep enough, and in the right location, to intersect the basalt of the Midcontinent Rift. —Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 17 Feb. 2026

Passengers would travel in autonomous pods on a dedicated path that doesn’t intersect with regular traffic. —Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026

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