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 hosts included the actress Rowan Blanchard, the left-wing podcasters of Chapo Trap House and the owners of the artsy Lower East Side boutique Café Forgot — a cross section of celebrities, niche media figures and Lower Manhattan trendsetters devised to draw out other cliquish culture makers.
—
Joseph Bernstein, New York Times, 17 May 2025
An enormous cross section of artists — from pop hitmakers like Lil Nas X and Shaboozey to should-be country stars Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer to contemporary roots and indie stalwarts like Adia Victoria, Buffalo Nichols, and Allison Russell— can all partly thank Giddens for their career.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cross section
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Joseph Bernstein, New York Times, 17 May 2025
An enormous cross section of artists — from pop hitmakers like Lil Nas X and Shaboozey to should-be country stars Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer to contemporary roots and indie stalwarts like Adia Victoria, Buffalo Nichols, and Allison Russell— can all partly thank Giddens for their career.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cross section
Cite this Entry
“Cross section.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20section. Accessed 5 Jun. 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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