intersect

American  

[in-ter-sekt] / ˌɪn tərˈsɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to cut or divide by passing through or across.

   The highway intersects the town.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to cross, as lines or wires.

2. Geometry. to have one or more points in common.

   intersecting lines.

intersect British  

/ ˌɪntəˈsɛkt /

verb

1. to divide, cut, or mark off by passing through or across

2. (esp of roads) to cross (each other)

3. maths (often foll by with) to have one or more points in common (with another configuration)

---

Other Word Forms

• nonintersecting adjective
• self-intersecting adjective
• unintersected adjective
• unintersecting adjective

Etymology

Origin of intersect

1605–15; < Latin intersectus, past participle of intersecāre “to cut through, sever”; inter- ( def. ), -sect ( def. )

Example Sentences

Sometimes, it’s the lack of access that holds filmmakers back; others, it’s the inability to find the point where history, couture and artistry intersect.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

But the key point where these arcs intersect is pretty flimsy, hinging on convincing us that Grace, the greatest guy in the universe, has a personality defect that we don’t believe.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Those forces, she said, intersect directly with the Fed’s dual mandate.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Eventually the fateful time comes when their mutual missions intersect.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

With Richardson’s curve and the simplest extrapolation for the future growth of the human population, the two curves do not intersect until the thirtieth century or so, and Doomsday is deferred.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• converge
• cross