intersection

noun

in·​ter·​sec·​tion ˌin-tər-ˈsek-shən 

especially in sense 1 ˈin-tər-ˌsek-

1

: a place or area where two or more things (such as streets) intersect

2

: the act or process of intersecting

3

a

: the set of elements common to two or more sets

especially : the set of points common to two geometric configurations

b

: the operation of finding the intersection of two or more sets

Illustration of intersection

• a intersection 3a

Synonyms of intersection

• junction
• corner
• crossroad
• crossing

Examples of intersection in a Sentence

The accident occurred at a busy intersection.

two possible points of intersection

the intersection of line A and line B

Recent Examples on the Web

The Immigrant Defense Project works at the intersection of criminal and immigration law, challenging a system that quietly erodes due process by turning minor contact with the state into exile. —Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management issued an alert late Monday evening saying that the mountain lion was spotted in the Pacific Heights neighborhood near the intersection of Octavia Street and Pacific Avenue, just north of Lafayette Park. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026

Officials said a shelter-in-place order is in effect for a one-block radius near the intersection of Colusa and Tacoma avenues. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

At the busy intersection of 52nd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for intersection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• interjection
• introjection
• introspection

Kids Definition

intersection

noun

in·​ter·​sec·​tion ˌint-ər-ˈsek-shən 

1

: the act or process of intersecting

2

: the place or point where two or more things and especially streets intersect

a busy intersection

3

: the set of mathematical elements shared by two or more sets

especially : the set of points shared by two geometric figures