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

Byrne has always had a knack for marrying camp with earnest determination, as though she’s keenly aware of how often the two intersect in everyday life.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Their lives intersect, then disentangle, then return to each other’s orbit again.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Visa’s marketing leader is pushing to establish a greater understanding, throughout the company, of how YouTube may intersect with its investments across sports, gaming, music and live TV.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

We dance around each other, but never intersect.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Related Words

• converge
• cross