cross section

The definition of a cross section is a section of something that has been cut down the middle to show what is inside.

(noun)

An example of a cross section is what you see on the inside when you cut a layered sandwich in half.

See cross section in Webster's New World College Dictionary

1. a cutting through something, esp. at a right angle
2. a piece so cut off
3. a drawing or photograph of a plane surface exposed by such a cutting
a sample that has enough of each kind in it to show what the whole is like
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
Surveying a vertical section of the ground surface taken at right angles to a survey line

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See cross section in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also cross-sec·tion

noun

a. A section formed by a plane cutting through an object, usually at right angles to an axis.
b. A piece so cut or a graphic representation of such a piece.
Physics A measure of the probability that an encounter between particles will result in the occurrence of a particular atomic or nuclear reaction. Also called collision cross section.
Statistics A sample meant to be representative of a whole population.
Informal A variety; a diversity.

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