If you refer to a cross-section of particular things or people, you mean a group of them that you think is typical or representative of all of them.
I was surprised at the cross-section of people there. [+ of]
It is good that there is a wide cross-section of sport on television. [+ of]
2. countable noun [oft inNOUN]
A cross-section of an object is what you would see if you could cut straight through the middle of it.
...a cross-section of an airplane. [+ of]
The hall is square in cross-section.
cross section in British English
noun
1. mathematics
a plane surface formed by cutting across a solid, esp perpendicular to its longest axis
2.
a section cut off in this way
3.
the act of cutting anything in this way
4.
a random selection or sample, esp one regarded as representative
a cross section of the public
5. surveying
a vertical section of a line of ground at right angles to a survey line
6. physics
a measure of the probability that a collision process will result in a particular reaction. It is expressed by the effective area that one participant presents as a target for the other
Derived forms
cross-sectional (ˌcross-ˈsectional)
adjective
cross-section in British English
or cross section (ˈkrɒsˌsɛkʃən)
noun
1.
a random selection or sample
a cross-section of the public
2.
variety
I was surprised at the cross-section of people there.
a wide cross-section of sport
3.
a section formed by cutting across a solid, esp perpendicular to its longest axis
a cross-section of a human brain
a cross-section of an aeroplane
cross section in American English
1.
a.
a cutting through something, esp. at a right angle
b.
a piece so cut off
c.
a drawing or photograph of a plane surface exposed by such a cutting
2.
a sample that has enough of each kind in it to show what the whole is like
3. Nuclear Physics
a measure of the probability that a nuclear reaction will take place, under specified conditions, between two particles or a particle and another target: usually expressed in terms of the effective area a single target presents to the incoming particle
see also barn
4. Surveying
a vertical section of the ground surface taken at right angles to a survey line
Derived forms
cross-section (ˈcross-ˈsection)
verb transitive
cross-sectional (ˈcross-ˈsectional)
adjective
cross-section in Mechanical Engineering
(krɔs sɛkʃən)
Word forms: (regular plural) cross-sections
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
A cross-section of an object is what you would see if you slice through it.
Figure 5 is a cross-section of the engine showing its internal components.
Imagine cutting the cylinder in half so you could see it in cross-section.
A cross-section of an object is what you would see if you slice through it.
Examples of 'cross section' in a sentence
cross section
But his tender eyes and lopsided cross section of teeth make her think just maybe.
Alex Shakar THE SAVAGE GIRL (2001)
We now recruit from a broader cross-section of society.
The Sun (2010)
It would help a broad cross-section of society.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
How can that be if the audience is a cross-section of public opinion?
The Sun (2013)
We wanted as wide of a cross-section as we could get.
Christianity Today (2000)
Speak to a cross-section of people ranging from midwives to trainers and a complex picture emerges.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The thing about airports is that the cross-section of people inside them tends to reflect the population as a whole.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His clashes with officialdom have led to three touchline bans and he has annoyed a wide cross-section of an entire football culture.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The Times spoke to a cross-section of people around the shopping centre.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
cross-section
British English: cross-section NOUN
If you refer to a cross-section of particular things or people, you mean a group of them that you think is typical or representative of all of them.
I was surprised at the cross-section of people there.