cross section: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “cross section” mean?
A surface or shape that is revealed when something is cut through completely, or a representative sample of a larger group.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surface or shape that is revealed when something is cut through completely, or a representative sample of a larger group.
It can also mean a small group of people or things taken from a larger group and considered to be representative of the whole. In mathematics and science, it refers to the shape made when a solid is cut by a plane.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Hyphenation is more common in both varieties when used as an adjective. Usage is essentially identical. The spelling 'cross-section' is slightly more prevalent in edited British English, but 'cross section' is also standard.
Connotations
Neutral and identical in both varieties. Conveys precision, analysis, and representativeness.
Frequency
Slightly more common in technical and academic contexts than in everyday casual conversation in both regions. Frequency is similar.
Grammar
How to Use “cross section” in a Sentence
a cross section of [NOUN PHRASE] (e.g., a cross section of the population)to take a cross sectionto show/cut a cross section through [OBJECT]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross section” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The geologist will cross-section the rock core to study its strata.
American English
- The researcher cross-sectioned the tissue sample for microscopic analysis.
adjective
British English
- The diagram offered a cross-section view of the ship's hull.
American English
- We need cross-section data from various income brackets.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The focus group provided a valuable cross section of our target customer base.
Academic
The study examined a cross section of cortical neurons to analyze synaptic density.
Everyday
The village fair attracted a real cross section of people from the whole county.
Technical
The engineer analysed the beam's I-shaped cross section for stress points.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross section”
- Using 'cross section' as a verb (e.g., 'We cross-sectioned the group' is very rare and technical).
- Confusing 'cross section' with 'intersection' (where two things cross).
- Forgetting the article: 'The survey included cross section of voters' (incorrect) vs. '...a cross section of voters' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two words ('cross section'). However, it is very frequently hyphenated ('cross-section'), especially when used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a cross-section view'). Both forms are generally accepted.
A 'sample' is any subset taken from a larger group. A 'cross section' is a specific type of sample that is intended to be representative of the diversity within the whole group, often taken at a single point in time.
Rarely. The verb form ('to cross-section') is highly technical, used almost exclusively in scientific or engineering contexts to mean 'to cut or take a cross section of something'. In everyday language, use phrases like 'take a cross section of' or 'show a cross section of'.
It means a group of people that includes individuals representing the different types of people (e.g., different ages, jobs, incomes, backgrounds) found within that society, acting as a small-scale model of the whole.
A surface or shape that is revealed when something is cut through completely, or a representative sample of a larger group.
Cross section is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Cross section: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɒs ˈsek.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔːs ˈsek.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cross section of society”
- “A cross section of opinion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baker cutting a loaf of BREAD. The slice you see is a CROSS SECTION - it shows you what's inside the whole loaf.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEEING INSIDE IS UNDERSTANDING (A cross section reveals internal structure, leading to knowledge).
Practice
Quiz
In an engineering context, a 'cross section' most likely refers to: