intersection

American  

[in-ter-sek-shuhn] / ˌɪn tərˈsɛk ʃən /

noun

1. a place where two or more roads meet, especially when at least one is a major highway; junction.

   Synonyms:

   corner, crossing

2. any place of intersection or the act or fact of intersecting.

3. Mathematics.

   1. Also called meet, product.  the set of elements that two or more sets have in common. ∩

   2. the greatest lower bound of two elements in a lattice.

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intersection British  

/ ˈɪntəˌsɛk-, ˌɪntəˈsɛkʃən /

noun

1. a point at which things intersect, esp a road junction

2. the act of intersecting or the state of being intersected

3. maths

   1. a point or set of points common to two or more geometric configurations

   2. Also called: product.  the set of elements that are common to two sets

   3. the operation that yields that set from a pair of given sets. Symbol: ∩, as in A ∩ B

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intersection Scientific  

/ ĭn′tər-sĕk′shən /

1. The point or set of points where one line, surface, or solid crosses another.

2. The set that contains only those elements shared by two or more sets. The intersection of the sets {3,4,5,6} and {4,6,8,10} is the set {4,6}. The symbol for intersection is .

3. Compare union

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Other Word Forms

• intersectional
  adjective
• nonintersectional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of intersection

First recorded in 1550–60, intersection is from the Latin word intersectiōn- (stem of intersectiō ). See intersect, -ion

Explanation

An intersection is a point where two lines or streets cross. There are two places you're most likely to find intersections: in math class and in traffic. In math, an intersection is the spot where two lines cross. Those lines share this common point. The center of the letter X is an intersection. The same is true for streets: the intersection of Clark and Huron is where those streets cross. From the intersection, you can choose to travel down either street. When you're trying to get somewhere, it's helpful to know the major intersections.

Example Sentences

Fedy Feraihi, from the NGO Intersection, described the official rhetoric as "intimidation".

From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025

One of the books, the not-so-subtle Intersection Allies, includes a page about a girl named Kate, who exclaims, “My friends defend my choices and place. A bathroom, like all rooms, should be a safe space.”

From Slate • Jul. 1, 2025

Intersection theory, one of Larson’s specialties, is a branch of a field called algebraic geometry.

From Scientific American • Sep. 26, 2023

"There is also a perception among some of Chevron Australia's workforce that the financial bottom line is valued above wellbeing and ultimately, physical and psychological safety," Intersection said in the report.

From Reuters • Nov. 29, 2022

It was at the Intersection of two great Thoroughfares.

From Love Instigated: The Story of a Carved Ivory Umbrella Handle by Sherley, George Douglass

Related Words

• crossing
• interchange
• junction