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

The external and internal expectations should intersect this week. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026

On Sunday, Skip Schumaker’s passions — baseball and community investment through the Jessie Rees Foundation — intersected. —Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026

Squirrels may come in under the eaves, gable vent, behind chimneys, where rooflines intersect, or between the soffit board and the rain gutter. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

While finding inspiration in the locations and production design was one component of Evelyn’s process, another was responding to the actors who were cast and how their personas could intersect with the clothes to create iconic looks. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 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