intersectional

American  

[in-ter-sek-shuh-nl] / ˌɪn tərˈsɛk ʃə nl /

adjective

1. of or relating to to an intersection, or a place where two or more roads, lines, or elements meet.

   intersectional traffic flow.

2. noting or relating to intersectionality, the theory that the overlap of social identities contributes to the specific type of oppression and discrimination experienced by an individual.

   Intersectional feminism raises the profile of underrepresented minority women and addresses many diverse challenges to gender equality.

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Etymology

Origin of intersectional

First recorded in 1845–50; intersection ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Something is intersectional if it takes different parts of a person's identity into account, including things like gender, age, religion, and race. When a group is intersectional, it's making an effort to consider the fact that we all have many different identities — and some of them can make us vulnerable to being treated unfairly or misunderstood. Your school club's intersectional approach means that students with disabilities feel welcome there, along with those who have different religious beliefs or ethnic backgrounds. The intersection, or crossing, of these different identities is where intersectional comes from.

Example Sentences

If sweeping appeals to our collective empathy have failed to resonate—if the public is not moved by Randy Fine’s intersectional shortcomings—maybe we are better off getting down in the muck.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

Students who specialize in intersectional neologisms will be well prepared for Mellon-funded faculty jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

By giving up the intersectional vision of the original abolitionist feminists, it leads to a divide in the movement.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2025

These intersectional filters interrogate what genes the cells express and what pathways and connections they make, parsing out the different subpopulations so that researchers can focus on a select group of isolated cells.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

Women are intersectional human beings who live multi-issued lives.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad