cross section

noun

1

a

: a cutting or piece of something cut off at right angles to an axis

also : a representation of such a cutting

b

: section sense 3b

2

: a measure of the probability of an encounter between particles such as will result in a specified effect (such as scattering or capture)

3

: a composite representation typifying the constituents of a thing in their relations

cross-section transitive verb

cross-sectional

ˈkrȯs-ˈsek-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• sample
• sampler
• sampling
• selection
• slice

Examples of cross section in a Sentence

a detailed cross section of the human brain

The drawing showed the human brain in cross section.

The class surveyed a cross section of the student body.

The people in our neighborhood are a representative cross section of American society.

Recent Examples on the Web

Friction point: The Trump administration's wide-reaching and ground-shaking policies have mobilized a varied cross section of Americans affected by political, economic, social and legal changes. —Erin Alberty, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025

An enormous cross section of artists — from pop hitmakers like Lil Nas X and Shaboozey to should-be country stars Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer to contemporary roots and indie stalwarts like Adia Victoria, Buffalo Nichols, and Allison Russell— can all partly thank Giddens for their career. —Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025

The program serves a diverse cross section of the country. —Renuka Rayasam, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2025

Rosenberg says a vast cross section of Americans benefit from the science that the agency provides - from weather forecasts to charts that recreational boaters use. —Julia Simon, NPR, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cross section

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

cross section

noun

1

a

: a cutting made across something (as a log or an apple)

b

: a representation of a cross section

a cross section of a blood vessel

2

: a number of persons or things selected from a group to stand for the whole

cross-sectional

ˈkrȯs-ˈsek-sh(ə-)nəl

adjective

Medical Definition

cross section

noun

: a cutting or piece of something cut off at right angles to an axis

also : a representation of such a cutting

cross-sectional

ˌkrȯ(s)-ˈsek-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective