also cross section
(~s)
1.
If you refer to a ~ 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 ~ of people there...
It is good that there is a wide ~ of sport on television.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
2.
A ~ of an object is what you would see if you could cut straight through the middle of it.
...a ~ of an airplane...
The hall is square in ~.
N-COUNT: also in N