as in sampling
a number of things selected from a group to stand for the whole
a television ratings service that monitors the viewing of a representative cross section of the general population
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Recent Examples of cross section
The teeth at the front of the dinosaur’s jaw, however, are D-shaped in cross section, with the curve of the D facing out toward the lip and a flat side facing the interior of the mouth.
—
Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025
To get past labor shortages, its leaders have hired from a cross section of related fields rather than focusing solely on PhD physicists.
—Justin Worland, Time, 17 July 2025
Bipartisan outrage over those dreams (or nightmares) united an odd cross section of Floridians: birder watchers, hunters, native tribes, blue-collar plumbers and Republican advisers.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2025
The big picture: 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.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross section
Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025
To get past labor shortages, its leaders have hired from a cross section of related fields rather than focusing solely on PhD physicists.
—Justin Worland, Time, 17 July 2025
Bipartisan outrage over those dreams (or nightmares) united an odd cross section of Floridians: birder watchers, hunters, native tribes, blue-collar plumbers and Republican advisers.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2025
The big picture: 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.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cross section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cross section
Noun
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Why the Cantaloupe Was Recalled The recall resulted from Wholesale Produce Company's routine sampling, which revealed that the cantaloupe may contain Listeria.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
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The researchers tagged the mystery bird and drew blood for genetic sampling.—
Amanda Schupak,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The evidence that Song was the shooter comes from a green mask the assailant wore from which samples that tested positive for Song’s DNA were taken and from interviews with cooperating sources, FBI Special Agent Clark Wiethorn testified at the hearing.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
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The two-hour experience includes bourbon samples, a cocktail, and the use of paranormal investigation tools.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cross section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cross%20section. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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