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

• carrefour
• corner
• crossing
• crossroad
• crossway(s)
• junction

Example Sentences

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

Although the church is now in ruins, its steeple gone and its roof caved in, neighbors in the area struck a hopeful tone after a tornado destroyed most of the houses and buildings around the intersection of West Point Road and First Avenue. —Henri Hollis, ajc, 27 Mar. 2023

For instance: Your instinct might be to grab a blind person and walk them across a busy intersection. —Andrew Pulrang, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023

The Washington Post sought additional analysis from experts on the intersection of marketing and culture. —Tucker Harris, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2023

The crash pushed the streetcar into the intersection of Milwaukee and Wells streets, stopping traffic in the area. —Beck Andrew Salgado, Journal Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2023

Police suspect the two men drove off after the shooting on I-70 and crashed a second time at the intersection at East 20th Street and North Emerson Avenue around 3:40 a.m., said Perrine. —Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Mar. 2023

Arizona storms:Tourists hoping to see northern Arizona waterfalls forced out by flooding What's closed in metro Phoenix Roads Horseshoe Dam Road is closed at Bartlett Dam Road intersection, but Bartlett Lake is still accessible and open. —Ellie Willard, The Arizona Republic, 24 Mar. 2023

But right now, the most common heart diseases come from the intersection of many different genes and lifestyle habits, not from the single-gene mutations these panels typically report. —Christopher Kelly M.d., Men's Health, 24 Mar. 2023

Stephanie Roe is an ecosystem and climate scientist focused on the intersection of climate change, biodiversity loss and economic development. —Stephanie Roe, Scientific American, 23 Mar. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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