plural sections
1
a
: one of the parts that form something
the upper section of the bridge
This section of the road is closed.
b
: a particular area that is part of a larger place
the frozen food section in the supermarket
the library's reference section
the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn
Do you want to sit in the nonsmoking section?
c
: a part of a newspaper, play, book, etc.
Can I see the sports section (of the newspaper)?
The dictionary includes a section on signs and symbols.
Section 1123 of the bankruptcy code
d
: a part of a group of people
ads that target one section of the population
He had his own cheering section in the stands. [=his own group of people who were cheering for him]
2
: one of several parts made so that something can be put together easily
The siding comes in five-foot sections.
3
: a part of a band or orchestra that has instruments of a particular kind
the brass section
the rhythm section
4
US
: one of the parts of an orange, grapefruit, or similar fruit that can be easily separated from each other
a section of grapefruit
5
medical
: a layer cut from a part of the body
He examined tissue sections of the brain under a microscope.
6
a
: a diagram showing how something would look if it was cut from the top to the bottom : cross section
a drawing of a ship in section
b
mathematics
: a shape that is made when a line cuts through a solid figure
a conical section
7
US
: a piece of land that is one mile wide and one mile long
sections; sectioned; sectioning
1
: to divide (something) into parts
Peel and section the orange.
Section the chicken and marinate the parts.
2
British
: to officially send (a mentally ill person) to a psychiatric hospital
She was sectioned by the judge.
Cite this Entry
“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/section. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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