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

Examples of intersection in a Sentence

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

The couple, who were on vacation visiting family, were traveling in a black 2016 Ford Platinum pickup truck when gunmen opened fire near an intersection. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025

The arrest stems from the December 2023 collision at the intersection of Bridgehead Road and Main Street. —Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025

Street Life Ventures Laura Fox runs Street Life Ventures, a fund investing in pre-seed and seed-stage B2B startups at the intersection of cities and climate. —Christer Holloman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Daanish Masood Alavi has spent two decades at the intersection of technology and international security, including leading innovation initiatives at the United Nations. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for intersection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• interjection
• introjection
• introspection

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