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

The scrappy, gender-bending show appeals to a unique cross section of theater kids and history buffs, with many audience members returning with their fathers. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 May 2025

The audience, representing a cross section of Americans, burst out laughing. —Chris Lamb, The Conversation, 2 May 2025

The gathering comes one day after top lawmakers held meetings with a cross section of House Republicans to discuss a pair of contentious sticking points in the Trump agenda bill, but failed to strike any agreements. —Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 1 May 2025

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

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