1
a
: a dissenting or schismatic religious body
especially
: one regarded as extreme or heretical
b
: a religious denomination
2
archaic
: sex sense 1
so is all her sect—
William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareExamples of sect in a Sentence
Noun
one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus
Recent Examples on the Web
Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
The ongoing clashes are the worst outbreak of violence since Assad – a member of the minority Alawite sect – was toppled in December by Sunni Islamist militants who sought to reshape the country’s political and sectarian order.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
The film’s plot follows a reclusive schizophrenic, raised in an oppressive religious sect, who must clear his name when he’s framed by cult leaders for a series of ritualistic murders.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 May 2025
In Syria, internecine warfare has already emerged between Kurds in the northeast, former President Assad’s Alawite sect, and transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the organization HTS, which the United States designated a terrorist group.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sect
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Noun
For example, Pope Francis chose his papal name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, with his love for peace and nature, as well as his care for the poor and focus on cooperation between different sects of the church.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
The ongoing clashes are the worst outbreak of violence since Assad – a member of the minority Alawite sect – was toppled in December by Sunni Islamist militants who sought to reshape the country’s political and sectarian order.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
The film’s plot follows a reclusive schizophrenic, raised in an oppressive religious sect, who must clear his name when he’s framed by cult leaders for a series of ritualistic murders.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 May 2025
In Syria, internecine warfare has already emerged between Kurds in the northeast, former President Assad’s Alawite sect, and transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the organization HTS, which the United States designated a terrorist group.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sect
Cite this Entry
“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sect. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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