Definition of "cross section" [cross section]

• A section formed by a plane cutting through an object, usually at right angles to an axis. (noun)
• A piece so cut or a graphic representation of such a piece. (noun)
• 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. (noun)
• Statistics A sample meant to be representative of a whole population. (noun)
• Informal A variety; a diversity. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "A significant measure of the effectiveness of a cross section of treatment programs in general can be found in the 1988 Chemical Abuse/Addiction Treatment Outcome Registry CATOR report."
• "A survey by Industry Week and Price Waterhouse reported that 69 percent of a cross section of U.S. manufacturing plants have adopted some version of this practice."
• "The popular rebellion-by-inspiration theory gives insufficient consideration to changes that were taking place in the basic structure of American economic and political life—changes which made certain rebellious actions seem necessary to a cross section of American women and which at the same time prevented society from suppressing the activists."