sect

1 of 2

noun

ˈsekt 

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

3

a

: a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader

b

: party

c

: faction

sect

2 of 2

abbreviation

section; sectional

Synonyms of sect

Noun

• faction
• party
• wing
• side

Examples 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

Noun

The Shiʿi sect of Islam believes that Prophet Muhammad’s cousin, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, was the prophet’s rightful successor as the leader of the Islamic world; the Sunnis believe that a leader should have been chosen from among the masses, leading to tensions between these two major Islamic sects. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

Saddam was a Sunni and members of the sect disproportionately held top leadership positions during his time. —ABC News, 4 May 2026

The Goryeo were devout Buddhists; so too are the Lee family, of the modern Won Buddhist sect. —Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

Bishop is part of this sect of new characters that are really vital to the story. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English secte, from Anglo-French & Late Latin & Latin; Anglo-French, group, faction, from Late Latin secta organized ecclesiastical body, from Latin, course of action, way of life, probably from sectari to pursue, frequentative of sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sect

• checked
• decked
• flecked
• hecht
• necked
• pecked
• trekked
• wrecked
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect

Kids Definition

sect

noun

ˈsekt

1

a

: a religious group having beliefs that differ greatly from those of the main body

b

: a religious body consisting of members having similar beliefs

2

a

: a group of people having the same beliefs or following the same leader

b

: party sense 1

c

: faction