English Reference
noun

intersection

n.
US /ˌɪntɝˈsɛkʃən/ UK /ˌɪntəsˈɛkʃən/ in·ter·sec·tion UK spelling intersection's, intersection's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate American English

    a place where two or more roads cross each other.

    the junction where two or more paths, streets, or highways meet or cross.

    Simple

    Be careful when you drive through the intersection because the lights are broken.

    In context

    The city council approved the installation of a new roundabout at the busy intersection to reduce the frequency of traffic accidents.

    Usage

    Commonly used in North American English where British speakers might say 'crossroads' or 'junction'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    a point where two different things, like ideas or groups of people, come together.

    a point or area of overlap, confluence, or crossover between distinct categories or concepts.

    Simple

    The book explores the intersection of art and technology in the modern world.

    In context

    Her research focuses on the intersection of environmental policy and social justice, examining how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Math

    the point where two lines meet, or the items that two different groups have in common.

    the set of points common to two geometric figures, or the set containing all elements common to two or more sets.

    Simple

    The intersection of the two lines is marked with the letter X on the graph.

    In context

    In set theory, the intersection of sets A and B contains only the elements that appear in both groups.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Technical Sport

    a move in team ice skating where skaters pass through each other's lines.

    a technical element in synchronized skating where two or more lines of skaters pass through one another.

    Simple

    The team performed a perfect intersection during their long program.

    In context

    The judges awarded high marks for the technical difficulty of the angled intersection, noting the precise spacing between the skaters.


From Middle French intersection and its etymon Latin intersectiō. By surface analysis, intersect + -ion.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin intersectiō
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated