section

1 of 2

noun

sec·​tion ˈsek-shən 

1

a

: 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)

3

a

: 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

8

a

: 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

11

a

: 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

12

a

: 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

2 of 2

verb

sectioned; sectioning ˈsek-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to cut or separate into sections

section an orange

2

: to represent in sections

intransitive verb

: to become cut or separated into parts

Synonyms

Noun

• district
• neighborhood
• zone

Choose the Right Synonym for section

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole.

part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

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 chapter’s first section responds to a tendency in Harry Potter studies to interpret the series as if its version of magic portrays a profoundly different and salutary alternative to Muggle technology. —Literary Hub, 26 June 2025

Democrats, who are making arguments before the parliamentarian to slash key sections of the bill, called the ruling a win. —Claudia Grisales, NPR, 26 June 2025

Verb

The supporters section on the south end will have 2,000 standing seats—there is an ability to expand the section over time—with the steepest rake allowed by building code, bringing them 30 feet closer to the pitch than the same seats at Soldier Field. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Parish was initially sectioned to a secure facility in Devon where he was later released into custody and charged, per the police statement. —Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 27 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin section-, sectio, from secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1819, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing section

• brass section
• caesarean section
• caesarian section
• cesarean section
• cesarian section
• cheering section
• conic section
• cross section
• C-section
• golden section
• percussion section
• quarter section
• section gang
• section hand
• section off
• smoking section
• the string section
• woodwind section
• x-section

Rhymes for section

• flexion
• lection
• rection
• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection

Kids Definition

section

1 of 2 noun

sec·​tion ˈsek-shən 

1

: a part cut off or separated

a section of an orange

2

: a part of a written work

the sports section of the newspaper

3

: the appearance that a thing has or would have if cut straight through

a drawing of a ship in section

4

: a part of an area, community, or group of people

the business section of town

5

: one of several parts (as of a bookcase) that may be assembled or reassembled

6

: a part of an orchestra composed of one class of instruments

the brass section

section

2 of 2 verb

sectioned; sectioning -sh(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to cut or separate into or become cut or separated into parts or sections

2

: to represent in sections (as by a drawing)

Etymology

Noun

from Latin section-, sectio "section, the act of cutting," from secare "to cut" — related to dissect, insect

Medical Definition

section

1 of 2 noun

sec·​tion ˈsek-shən 

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

2 of 2 transitive verb

sectioned; sectioning -sh(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to divide (a body part or organ) surgically

section a nerve

2

: to cut (fixed tissue) into thin slices for microscopic examination