cross-sectional

UK: /ˌkrɒsˈsek.ʃən.əl/ | US: /ˌkrɑːsˈsek.ʃən.əl/

Definition

  1. adj. relating to or being a cross section (e.g., of an object or population)

  2. adj. involving a comparison across different groups or categories

Structure
cross <across>section <cut>al <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word combines "cross" (from Old English cros, ultimately from Latin crux, meaning "across" or "intersecting") and "section" (from Latin sectio, meaning "a cutting"). The suffix "-al" (from Latin -alis) forms adjectives. Together, "cross-sectional" literally means "pertaining to a cutting across," reflecting its use in describing analyses or views that cut through multiple dimensions (e.g., time, groups, or structures).

Examples

  1. The study used a cross-sectional design to compare health outcomes across age groups.

  2. Cross-sectional data revealed disparities in income levels among different regions.

  3. Engineers analyzed the cross-sectional area of the beam to assess its strength.

  4. A cross-sectional view of the fossil showed intricate internal structures.

  5. The report provided a cross-sectional analysis of employment trends in 2023.