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

When the Earth intersects the comet's orbit, the debris left by the comet burns up in the Earth's atmosphere, creating bright streaks of light in the night sky known as meteors or shooting stars, according to Earth Sky. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025

The performance helped bridge the gap between Amazon’s growing commitment to intersect the avenues of sports and music, with Nas’ concert serving as the catalyst. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Dec. 2025

As shown, and as often happens, the lower end of the breakout range is intersecting with the 50-day moving average about 1% down from here. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

The second print, a tangle of flowers intersecting with geometric stripes, adds a graphic edge. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 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