sector

1 of 2

noun

sec·​tor ˈsek-tər 

-ˌtȯr

1

a

: a geometric figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle

b(1)

: a subdivision of a defensive military position

(2)

: a portion of a military front or area of operation

c

: an area or portion resembling a sector

… bilingual sector of town.

—David Kleinberg

d

: a sociological, economic, or political subdivision of society

… cooperation between the public and private sectors …

—Eduardo Trigo

2

: a mathematical instrument consisting of two rulers connected at one end by a joint and marked with several scales

3

: a subdivision of a track on a computer disk

sectoral

ˈsek-t(ə-)rəl

adjective

sector

2 of 2

verb

sec·​tor ˈsek-tər 

sectored; sectoring ˈsek-t(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

: to divide into or furnish with sectors

Examples of sector in a Sentence

Noun

He was assigned to the northern sector.

Data is stored on the disk in 512-byte sectors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ukraine’s deep strikes into Russian territory have added to the war’s civilian death toll; disrupted online commerce, a significant sector in a country as large as Russia; and prompted gasoline shortages. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Coal, gas and oil-fired power plants are responsible for about one-quarter of the nation’s total climate pollution, second only to the transportation sector. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Treasury officials did not specify which sectors the new sanctions would affect, but said that any business conducted with Iran could be targeted both now and in the future. — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

Shares of Goldman were basically flat in afternoon trading, essentially mirroring the broader financials sector in the S & P. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin, from Latin, cutter, from secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1884, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sector

• private sector
• public sector
• sub-sector

Rhymes for sector

• hector
• lector
• nectar
• rector
• specter
• spectre
• vector
• bisector
• collector
• connector
• corrector
• defector

Kids Definition

sector

noun

sec·​tor

ˈsek-tər, 

-ˌtȯ(ə)r

1

a

: the part of a circle included between two radii

b

: an area assigned to a military commander to defend

2

: a part of society

the public sector

the industrial sector