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
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
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 radar cross section of the Earth's surface can be large, on the order of a million times as great as the cross section of targets.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2021
The task before the Islamic Republic is to win over a broad cross section of its citizens while simultaneously defining what shape its revolutionary project, and its state apparatus, will take over the long term.
—Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2019
Reducing the cross section of the trailer is the most effective way to reduce the drag and increase the range.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Civilian air traffic control infrastructure is designed for crewed aircraft that have larger radar cross sections and operate at higher altitudes than drones.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cross section 
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IEEE Spectrum, 24 June 2021
The task before the Islamic Republic is to win over a broad cross section of its citizens while simultaneously defining what shape its revolutionary project, and its state apparatus, will take over the long term.
—Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2019
Reducing the cross section of the trailer is the most effective way to reduce the drag and increase the range.
—Brad Templeton, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Civilian air traffic control infrastructure is designed for crewed aircraft that have larger radar cross sections and operate at higher altitudes than drones.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cross section
Dictionary Entries Near cross section
Cite this Entry
“Cross section.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20section. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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