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

Goldman sees 60% earnings-per-share growth for Asia Pacific equities in 2026, with technology remaining the market's strongest-performing sector. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 June 2026

For more than ten years, she was based in Paris and Barcelona contributing to Vogue Italia, and other sector magazines and authoring several books about fashion and food. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Verb

Standout sectors Security selection matters, Alvarado said. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026

In my view, investors should be cautious of investing in individual stocks or even sector specific index funds and ETFs. —Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 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