sect

1 of 2

noun

ˈsekt 

1

a

: a dissenting or schismatic religious body

especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical

b

: a religious denomination

2

archaic : sex sense 1

so is all her sect

—William Shakespeare

3

a

: a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader

b

: party

c

: faction

sect

2 of 2

abbreviation

section; sectional

Synonyms

Noun

• bloc
• block
• body
• coalition
• faction
• party
• set
• side
• wing

Examples of sect in a Sentence

Noun

one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As certain sects of Democrats continue to seriously eye Vice President Kamala Harris as a replacement for President Joe Biden atop the ticket for the 2024 Presidential Election, voters are reflecting on their perception of the history-making VP. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 July 2024

The Protestant Reformation ignited bitter hostilities between followers of the new Christian sect and Catholics. —Dave Kindy, Washington Post, 10 July 2024

Only 36,000 people live there, divided among Muslims, Jews, Christians of various sects, and Armenians, though the ethnic Armenians are also traditionally Christian by faith. —David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

Where to watch: BBC iPlayer Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey Warren Jeffs led the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), an extreme sect of the Mormon faith, in Utah, having succeeded his father in the role in 2002. —Adrienne Wyper, The Week Uk, theweek, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English secte, from Anglo-French & Late Latin & Latin; Anglo-French, group, faction, from Late Latin secta organized ecclesiastical body, from Latin, course of action, way of life, probably from sectari to pursue, frequentative of sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sect

noun

ˈsekt

1

a

: a religious group having beliefs that differ greatly from those of the main body

b

: a religious body consisting of members having similar beliefs

2

a

: a group of people having the same beliefs or following the same leader

b

: party sense 1

c

: faction