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

• bisect
• cross
• cut

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

From Val Vista Drive to Alma School Road, here is who or what these 16 East Valley streets that intersect the U.S. 60 are named after and why. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2024

In the southeast area, two separate trends are identified from limited historic drilling with significant mineralization intersected including 1.55 g/t Au over 26.0 metres, 2.17 g/t Au over 17.9 metres, and 1.96 g/t Au over 10.0 metres. —Sacramento Bee, 13 June 2024

But the region’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border means the crisis can intersect with what’s happening to the south, and San Diego has recently been the top spot to cross into the United States. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2024

When these strategies intersect with a field that requires expertise and treats people in vulnerable moments, something’s almost bound to go awry. —A.w. Ohlheiser, Vox, 16 May 2024

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

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