Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or point of crossing or meeting: The action of one line, path, or surface crossing another, or the specific point where this occurs.
   • A place where two or more roads meet and cross: A junction, especially of streets or highways.
   • A set of common elements: In mathematics and logic, the set containing all elements that are common to two or more given sets.
   • A point of commonality between ideas or theories: A concept representing shared ground or overlap between different areas of thought or phenomena.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The accident happened at a busy intersection. (The accident occurred where two roads cross.)
  • The intersection of the two lines forms a right angle. (The point where the two lines cross creates a 90-degree angle.)
  • The intersection of set A and set B contains only the number 3. (The common members of both groups are just the number 3.)
  • Her research explores the intersection of art and technology. (Her work examines the shared area where art and technology meet.)

Advanced Usage

• "Point of intersection": A specific, often calculated, location where lines, curves, or surfaces cross.
  • Find the point of intersection for the two equations on the graph.
• "At the intersection of": Used figuratively to describe being at a crossroads of ideas, fields, or decisions.
  • The company is at the intersection of innovation and tradition.

Variants and Related Words

• Intersect (verb): To cross or cut through; to have one or more points in common.
  • The hiking trail intersects the river several miles ahead.
• Intersectional (adj): Relating to or involving the interconnected nature of social categorizations. (Note: This is a distinct, advanced term related to social theory).
  • Intersectional analysis considers how race, class, and gender overlap.

Synonyms

• Crossroads: A place where roads intersect (often implies a point of decision).
• Junction: A place where things join, especially roads or railway lines.
• Crossing: A place where a road, path, or railway line may be crossed.
• Overlap: The common area shared by two or more things.

Related Phrases

• Intersection point: (See "point of intersection" in Advanced Usage).
• Line of intersection: The line along which two surfaces intersect.
  • The line of intersection between the wall and the ceiling.

Related Idioms

• A crossroads: A critical point where a decision must be made. (While similar to an intersection, this idiom emphasizes choice rather than mere crossing).
  • Graduation left her at a crossroads in her life.

Noun

1. the act of intersecting (as joining by causing your path to intersect your target's path)
2. a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena
   • there was no overlap between their proposals
3. the set of elements common to two or more sets
   • the set of red hats is the intersection of the set of hats and the set of red things
4. a point or set of points common to two or more geometric configurations
5. a junction where one street or road crosses another
6. a point where lines intersect