SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

1

sectional

adjective sec·tion·al \ ˈsek-shnəl , -shə-nᵊl \

Definition of sectional

1 a :of or relating to a section

b :local or regional rather than general in character

sectional interests

2 :consisting of or divided into sections

sectional furniture

—

sectionally

adverb

See sectional defined for English-language learners

See sectional defined for kids

Examples of sectional in a Sentence

a sectional drawing of a ship

Recent Examples of sectional from the Web

Christian Academy of Indiana’s boys cross country team turned in its first top-five sectional finish and followed with an impressive showing at regional, largely on the back of a freshman in Skylar Stidam.

— kyle williams, The Courier-Journal, "How two cross country runners helped turn Christian Academy of Indiana into a state-level contender," 30 Aug. 2017
Postseason prospects: The Tartans won a playoff game by stunning CH West in the first round and fell to undefeated Lenape in the sectional semifinals.

— phil anastasia, Philly.com, "Training camp 101: Highland," 12 Aug. 2017
Ms. Doobay also provides all the furnishings, including a sectional couch and a TV in the living room.

— kim velsey, New York Times, "For $350 in Rent, a Tenant Becomes a Landlord’s Helper," 28 July 2017
Jeffersonville’s last sectional title came in 2011 en route to the program first state championship.

— kyle williams, The Courier-Journal, "Jeffersonville's Jacinta Gibson 'fell in love with Western Michigan'," 18 July 2017
Weatherproof sectional sofas, loungers, armchairs, and ottomans are made from a resin-rattan weave and topped with Sunbrella-upholstered cushions; vibrant all-weather striped pillows add color and personality. 81.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
The horn section will improvise sectional parts, just right in the mix.

— michael hamad, courant.com, "Derek Trucks Talks About Loss, Staying Power And Picking Up The Mentor Mantle," 30 June 2017
Coach of the year Greg Leurck, Lakota West - The Firebirds were Greater Miami Conference champions at 15-3 along with winning sectional, division and regional championships.

— adam baum, Cincinnati.com, "2017 Ohio All-Stars: Baseball," 30 June 2017
East, a rising senior, averaged 12 points, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game this past season while Hunter tallied 5.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks as a freshman to help pace the Bulldogs to a sectional title.

— kyle williams, The Courier-Journal, "Southern Indiana standouts invited to underclass showcase," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sectional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sectional

1806

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

2

sectional

noun

Definition of sectional

:a piece of furniture made up of modular units capable of use separately or in various combinations

See sectional defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of sectional from the Web

West Elm: Save up to 70% across departments; plus save 20% to 30% off all sofas, sectionals, chairs, benches and more, 50% off outdoor furniture & décor.

— megan stein, PEOPLE.com, "19 Weekend Super Sales: Here's Where to Save on Furniture, Decor, Rugs and More Right Now," 25 Aug. 2017
The sectional that included Bishop Chatard, Brebeuf Jesuit, Tri-West, Danville and Guerin Catholic is now split over three sectionals.

— kyle neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "High school football preview: Class 3A at a glance," 15 Aug. 2017
Stolman thankfully grasps that the narrative road from area meet to sectionals to statewide summer games isn’t the real story — this isn’t a contest documentary with winners and losers.

— robert abele, latimes.com, "Teen athletes and parents in 'Swim Team' form a spirited community in the face of autism," 20 July 2017
The soft seating area features coffee tables, leather sectionals and lounge chairs by MUUTO Oslo.

— jenna milliner-waddell, ELLE Decor, "WeWork’s First Paris Location, La Fayette, Is An Art Deco Tribute To 1920s France," 12 July 2017
Antonio Davis is the second seed in the 800 meters for Bloom, while the Blazing Trojans also have two runners seeded in the top 13 in the 400 (Mikael Boyd, Darren Harris) and their 1,600 relay ran 3:17.32 at sectionals, the best time in the state.

— steve soucie, Daily Southtown, "Lockport's John Meyer looks to repeat as the state champion in shot put," 25 May 2017
Matt Hollinsead and Donnie Baucom, custom club fitters and repair specialists at iFit Golf in Folsom, advanced through U.S. Open local qualifying into next month’s sectionals.

— steve pajak, sacbee.com, "What are the chances? Two thirtysomethings from same golf shop on path to U.S. Open," 23 May 2017
Jalah Morris made it out of sectionals and qualified for the second day of the state meet and placed 11th with a top throw of 121-0.

— bob narang, Lake County News-Sun, "Jalah Morris of Zion-Benton sets sights on first state medal in discus," 17 May 2017
Sprinters Adeyah Shine and Madison Lakomek learned from last year's sectionals and made an impact.

— rahim thompson, Post-Tribune, "Iowa recruit Antonise Christian shatters 35-year-old sectional record," 16 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sectional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sectional

1901

Other Furniture and Woodworking Terms

appoint, credenza, mission, settee

SECTIONAL Defined for English Language Learners

sectional

adjective

Definition of sectional for English Language Learners

: showing how something would look if it were cut from the top to the bottom
: concerned only with one part of a group or community
: made up of sections that can be put together or taken apart easily

sectional

noun

Definition of sectional for English Language Learners

: a type of long seat (called a sofa) that has three or more separate sections

Learn More about sectional

Spanish Central: Translation of sectional Nglish: Translation of sectional for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sectional for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sectional? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

knee-jerk

play

readily predictable

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59ea52ed7b96f

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Why do we call students 'freshmen' and 'sophomores'?

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

alt-59e8c3440f453

I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

alt-59e77dc36c593

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game

Examples: sectional in a Sentence