section

play

noun sec·tion \ˈsek-shən\

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
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 courseb : 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 crewb : 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 3b

See section defined for English-language learners

See section defined for kids

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

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

section

verb sec·tion

Definition of section

sectioned

;

sectioning

play \-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

See section defined for English-language learners

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

play

noun sec·tion \ˈsek-shən\

Definition 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

verb sec·tion

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

section

play

noun sec·tion \ˈsek-shən\

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

section

play

verb sec·tion

Definition of section for Students

sectioned

;

sectioning

: to cut into parts

Medical Dictionary

section

play

noun sec·tion \ˈsek-shən\

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