Definition of section
1a : the action or an instance of cutting or separating by cuttingb : 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 planeb : 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 routeb : one segment of a fruit : carpel
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of section in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of section
Latin section-, sectio, from secare to cut — more at saw
First Known Use: 1534
Synonym Discussion of section
Examples of section in a Sentence
Peel and section the orange.
Section the chicken and marinate the parts.
She was sectioned by the judge.
1819
First Known Use of section
1819
SECTION Defined for English Language Learners
section
playDefinition of section for English Language Learners
-
: 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
Definition of section for English Language Learners
-
: to divide (something) into parts
-
: to officially send (a mentally ill person) to a psychiatric hospital
SECTION Defined for Kids
Definition of section for Students
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
4 : cross section 1
Definition of section for Students
sectioned
;sectioning
: to cut into parts
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of section
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 section
2: a natural subdivision of a taxonomic group
3: a very thin slice (as of tissue) suitable for microscopic examination
section
Medical Definition of section
sectioned
;sectioning
\-sh(ə-)niŋ\play1: to divide (a body part or organ) surgically section a nerve
2: to cut (fixed tissue) into thin slices for microscopic examination
Learn More about section
-
See words that rhyme with section Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for section Spanish Central: Translation of section Nglish: Translation of section for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of section for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up section? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!