segment 1 of 2

Definition of segmentnext
as in portion
one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled I think I lost one segment of this model kit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

segment

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word segment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of segment are division, fragment, member, part, piece, portion, and section. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Where would division be a reasonable alternative to segment?

The synonyms division and segment are sometimes interchangeable, but division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of segment?

The meanings of fragment and segment largely overlap; however, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

In what contexts can member take the place of segment?

While the synonyms member and segment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than segment?

Although the words part and segment have much in common, part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When could piece be used to replace segment?

The words piece and segment can be used in similar contexts, but piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When would portion be a good substitute for segment?

The words portion and segment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is it sensible to use section instead of segment?

In some situations, the words section and segment are roughly equivalent. However, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

How is the word segment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of segment are division, fragment, member, part, piece, portion, and section. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Where would division be a reasonable alternative to segment?

The synonyms division and segment are sometimes interchangeable, but division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of segment?

The meanings of fragment and segment largely overlap; however, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

In what contexts can member take the place of segment?

While the synonyms member and segment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than segment?

Although the words part and segment have much in common, part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When could piece be used to replace segment?

The words piece and segment can be used in similar contexts, but piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When would portion be a good substitute for segment?

The words portion and segment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is it sensible to use section instead of segment?

In some situations, the words section and segment are roughly equivalent. However, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of segment
Noun
As was the case in December, while volume was down across all segments, large deals, those above $100 million, did see positive year-over-year growth. Diana Olick, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026 The recruits meet the needs of a surging segment of students enrolled in Waukegan schools — English learners. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Wikipedia also represents an earlier, democratic vision for the open web, before giant tech platforms came to dominate and segment the internet. David Ingram, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025 Appreciate the plurality of their needs and segment them into the top three priorities. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for segment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for segment
Noun
  • On Tuesday, Chicago will be just north of a warm front covering the southern portion of the metro, Doom said Monday, so temperatures in the city were expected to drop into the 50s.
    Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
  • House Republicans want to return $500 million annually to the middle class by expanding an income tax credit that offsets a portion of municipal property tax bills.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Once they're quartered, drizzle them with cream and top them with white cake mix and butter.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Trim just the very end of the stem, then halve or quarter them to maximize the surface area for browning.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Thomas contributed by designing and producing many of the robot’s mechanical parts using 3D printing technology.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Because Buckley has short hair, a chignon or updo was not an option—but combed neatly back with a side part, clearing the face, feels like a very Grace Kelly detail.
    Ana Serrano, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The 12-school conference has seemingly partitioned into upper and lower divisions, with two middling teams — Boise State and UNLV — in between.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The largest house was partitioned into two rooms and probably had a mezzanine floor.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • That section of town received evacuation alerts hours after flames threatened the area, and much later than wealthier, whiter areas of the unincorporated town.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Markings on the tail section identified the aircraft as belonging to the 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale, home to the Air Force Reserve Command unit.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Iran has effectively bifurcated the strait between its traditional Navy and the more aggressive Revolutionary Guard.
    Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
  • By the end of the 20th century, the assignments bifurcated.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The report also investigated genre trends in 2025 to further dissect audience preferences.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
  • His medical records, bank records, and personal family history were dissected, mocked, and vilified.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Density can be measured by dividing mass by volume.
    Heather Barker, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • In Costa’s vision, the city was to be divided into several sectors.
    Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Segment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/segment. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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