cross-section
nounUK /ˈkrɒsˌsekʃən/
US /ˈkrɔːsˌsekʃən/
A cross-section is a straight cut through something so you can see what is inside.
The picture showed a cross-section of the cake with all its layers.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A small group of people chosen to represent a larger group.
The survey asked a cross-section of students about their favorite sports.
3. The act of cutting something straight across.
The cross-section of the tree trunk showed its age rings.
4. A flat shape made by cutting straight through a solid object.
In math class we drew the cross-section of a cylinder.