section
noun
\
Definition of section
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : the action or an instance of cutting or separating by cutting
b : a part set off by or as if by cutting
2 : a distinct part or portion of something written (such as a chapter, law, or newspaper)
3a : the profile of something as it would appear if cut through by an intersecting plane
b : the plane figure resulting from the cutting of a solid by a plane
4 : a natural subdivision of a taxonomic group
5 : a character § used as a mark for the beginning of a section and as a reference mark
6 : a piece of land one square mile in area forming especially one of the 36 subdivisions of a township
7 : a distinct part of a territorial or political area, community, or group of people the historic section of the city
8a : a part that may be, is, or is viewed as separated a board cut into sections the northern section of the route
b : one segment of a fruit : carpel
9 : a basic military unit usually having a special function
10 : a very thin slice (as of tissue) suitable for microscopic examination
11a : one of the classes formed by dividing the students taking a course
b : one of the discussion groups into which a conference or organization is divided
12a : a part of a permanent railroad way under the care of a particular crew
b : one of two or more vehicles or trains which run on the same schedule
13 : one of several component parts that may be assembled or reassembled a bookcase in sections
14 : a division of an orchestra composed of one class of instruments the string section
15 : signature sense 3b
section
verb
\
Definition of section (Entry 2 of 2)
: to become cut or separated into parts
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Synonyms for section
Synonyms: Noun
member, part, partition, portion, segment
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Examples of section in a Sentence
Noun
the upper section of the bridge This section of the road is closed. the frozen food section in the supermarket the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn Do you want to sit in the nonsmoking section? The dictionary includes a section on signs and symbols. Section 1123 of the bankruptcy code. ads that target one section of the population The siding comes in five-foot sections.Verb
Peel and section the orange. Section the chicken and marinate the parts. She was sectioned by the judge.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The one rickety section of the book is where Tyler has to set this implausible scenario in motion. — Laura Collins-hughes, BostonGlobe.com, "Waking up is hard to do," 13 July 2018 The least flashy section of the menu is arguably the best, sharp and sublime across the board, no matter who is handling the preparation — a testament to the team Nakano has assembled. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, "No-frills Sushi Nakano one of the best casual sushi restaurants in Phoenix," 10 July 2018 This was risky given that the section was nearly pitch black. — Radhika Viswanathan, Vox, "How the 12 Thai boys were finally rescued," 10 July 2018 The last section of cobbles is only three miles from the finish. — Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, "Lance Armstrong Takes on the Tour de France," 6 July 2018 The Serenity section is an oasis of calm on ships that generally cater to noisy children, frenetic pool games, and loud music. — David G. Molyneaux, miamiherald, "Carnival, that most American of cruise lines, won't return to Europe any time soon," 5 July 2018 The northernmost sloping section is landscaped to replicate a reef crest, which is the highest point in a reef and can be exposed during low tide. — Martina Schimitschek, sandiegouniontribune.com, "At Scripps, a seascape landscape," 5 July 2018 The middle name section of Chi’s birth certificate is also blank, and Kim has never mentioned giving her youngest a middle name before. — Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Why Kim Kardashian's Potential Middle Name for Chicago Is Significant," 3 July 2018 But the damage was apparent: At least seven stores were flooded, a handful of cars were stranded in the parking lot, and a section of nearby railroad tracks was underwater hours later. — Joseph A. Gambardello, Philly.com, "Recent 48-inch water main breaks in Philadelphia," 3 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The processing center is sectioned off by pieces of cyclone fence attached in some places with bolts and zip ties. — Molly Hennessy-fiske, latimes.com, "Honduran migrant who was separated from family is found dead in Texas jail in an apparent suicide," 10 June 2018 Initially, thaw entire package for a few hours in the refrigerator, use what’s needed, then section out individual portions in separate freezer bags to refreeze. — Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Table for 1: For solo diners, cooking at home offers many perks," 12 July 2018 The instructions recommend sectioning off your hair and saturating your hair with the spray. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "Color Wow Dream Coat for Curls Humidity-Proofs Your Hair," 18 June 2018 After saturating the bob with Leave-on Detangling Milk, she towel-dried it and brushed it thoroughly with a paddle brush to distribute the product, then sectioned it off into a deep side part. — Samantha Sasso, refinery29.com, "Yara Shahidi's Bangs Stole The Show At The MTV Movie & TV Awards," 18 June 2018 There’s a play area for kids to splash around, as well as the Lazy River, a sectioned-off portion of the pool shaped like a figure-eight with a slow and easy current. — Helena Oliviero, ajc, "Things to do in and around Atlanta on Tuesday, June 5," 5 June 2018 The flat expanse of tall grasses bleached by the sun and the dry winter season was sectioned off by high chain-link fences and barbed wire. — Jason Florio, Smithsonian, "The Dangerous Work of Relocating 5,000-Pound Rhinos," 22 May 2018 Everyone’s coiffure was sectioned and plaited and sculpted by Nena Soul Fly to depict ancient Nigerian styles; their baby hairs were laid down as an ode to modern-day black and Latino communities, says Lu. — Kate Branch, Vogue, "Musician Kelsey Lu Just Made a Perfume—And She’s Launching It at Her Next Show," 14 May 2018 The chicken house was sectioned off into multiple rooms which contained marijuana plants in various germination stages. — Zachary Hansen, ajc, "BREAKING: 3,500 marijuana plants seized in North Georgia valued at $18 million," 12 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'section.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for section
section
noun
English Language Learners Definition of section
(Entry 1 of 2)
: one of the parts that form something
: a particular area that is part of a larger place
: a part of a newspaper, play, book, etc.
section
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of section (Entry 2 of 2)
: to divide (something) into parts
: to officially send (a mentally ill person) to a psychiatric hospital
See the full definition for section in the English Language Learners Dictionary
section
noun
\
Kids Definition of section
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a division of a thing or place A section of the fence broke.
2 : a part cut off or separated a section of an orange
3 : a part of a written work the sports section of a newspaper
section
verbKids Definition of section (Entry 2 of 2)
: to cut into parts
section
noun
\
Medical Definition of section
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : the action or an instance of cutting or separating by cutting especially : the action of dividing (as tissues) surgically nerve section abdominal section
— see cesarean section2 : a natural subdivision of a taxonomic group
3 : a very thin slice (as of tissue) suitable for microscopic examination
section
transitive verb
\
Medical Definition of section (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to divide (a body part or organ) surgically section a nerve
2 : to cut (fixed tissue) into thin slices for microscopic examination
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