cross section

/krɑs ˈsɛkʃən/

/krɒs ˈsɛkʃən/

Other forms: cross sections

Definitions of cross section

1. noun

   a section created by a plane cutting a solid perpendicular to its longest axis
   types:

   profile

   a vertical section of the Earth's crust showing the different horizons or layers

   soil profile

   a vertical section of soil from the ground surface to the parent rock

   type of:

   plane section, section

   (geometry) the area created by a plane cutting through a solid
2. noun

   a sample meant to be representative of a whole population
   type of:

   sample

   a small part of something intended as representative of the whole
3. noun

   (physics) the probability that a particular interaction (as capture or ionization) will take place between particles; measured in barns
   type of:

   chance, probability

   a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible