intersectional

adjective

in·​ter·​sec·​tion·​al ˌin-tər-ˈsek-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

a

: of or relating to intersectionality

Because the intersectional experience is greater than the sum of racism and sexism, any analysis that does not take intersectionality into account cannot sufficiently address the particular manner in which Black women are subordinated.

—Kimberlé Crenshaw

b

: involving members of multiple social categories

… I was near my home, in the midst of a multiracial, multigenerational, intersectional protest. I joined hundreds of others in the streets.

—Kira Banks

2

[inter- + sectional entry 1] : existing between sections

intersectional war

an intersectional game

3

: of or relating to an intersection

intersectional joints/lines

Examples of intersectional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This simple statement becomes both hopeful and urgent, suggesting the abundant potential of intersectional liberation movements while implicitly acknowledging the necessity of defending these spaces of dreaming. —Delinda Collier, Artforum, 1 May 2025

Tree peonies and Itoh peonies (intersectional crosses between garden and tree peonies) usually don't need staking to support their branches. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2025

Let it be known that Norman Lear’s final comedy room was an intersectional, authentic thing of beauty, and the stuff of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s nightmares. —Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025

Today, his life is celebrated as a model of intersectional activism that refused to compromise. —Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for intersectional

• bidirectional
• affectional
• correctional
• directional
• inflectional
• multidirectional
• omnidirectional
• unidirectional
• sectional