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

As medical information and AI start to intersect, the implications so far are murky. —Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

Court records show DeFoor has faced multiple criminal cases in Hamilton County in recent years, with each proceeding intersecting with findings related to his mental competency. —Stephen Sorace , Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Saturday, near where East Hampden intersects South Galena Street, according to an alert from the Denver Police Department. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026

For longtime Housewives fans, the documentary promises to address what really happens inside Faith Temple and how Mary’s reality TV fame intersected with her role as First Lady of the church. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 1 Jan. 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