Intersectional
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Of or pertaining to an intersection, especially of multiple forms of discrimination (for example, the intersection of misogyny and racism which affects black women specifically).
"Intersectional discrimination is particularly difficult to identify in contexts where economic, cultural, or social forces quietly shape the background such that women are placed in positions where they are affected by some other system of [discrimination]."
- 2 Existing or occurring between sections or groups.
"I have often thought of the many objections to "Civil War", "War between the States." As it was a war between the Northern and Southern sections of the United States, I have ventured to suggest "Intersectional War" as an appropriate name"
- 3 Of or relating to intersectionalism or intersectionality.
"Hunter has also been serving as coordinator for Jewish life and intersectional programming at the College of Wooster."
- 4 Encompassing or concerned with multiple different groups or the forms of discrimination they face (for example, inclusive of women of all races and people of color of all genders).
"“The revolution will be intersectional or it won't be my revolution” (or the more blunt and succinct “The revolution will be intersectional or it will be bullshit”) warn us of the dangers of single-issue/single-marginalization identity."
Example
More examples"Intersectional discrimination is particularly difficult to identify in contexts where economic, cultural, or social forces quietly shape the background such that women are placed in positions where they are affected by some other system of [discrimination]."
Etymology
From intersection + -al.
From inter- + sectional.
More for "intersectional"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.