Definition of sectionnext
1
as in district
an area (as of a city) set apart for some purpose or having some special feature several abandoned warehouses in the city's industrial section are being converted into art galleries and artists' lofts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in portion
one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled had trouble fitting the sections of the bookcase together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

section

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word section distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of section are division, fragment, member, part, piece, portion, and segment. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

In what contexts can division take the place of section?

Although the words division and section have much in common, division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When is it sensible to use fragment instead of section?

The words fragment and section are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

When is member a more appropriate choice than section?

While in some cases nearly identical to section, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When can part be used instead of section?

The synonyms part and section are sometimes interchangeable, but part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When would piece be a good substitute for section?

The words piece and section can be used in similar contexts, but piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When could portion be used to replace section?

While the synonyms portion and section are close in meaning, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When might segment be a better fit than section?

In some situations, the words segment and section are roughly equivalent. However, segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of section
Noun
Water behaves in different ways around different sections of a protein. — Mike McRae 13, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 Another section details how Parisian architecture — including Boucheron’s current home on Place Vendôme — has influenced lines and shapes in the collections. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
The process began with detangling, drying, and sectioning each model’s hair before additional wefts from True Hair Company were installed to enhance length and fullness. — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026 How to do miracle knots Start by sectioning out clean, even parts and braiding them into single plaits. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for section
Noun
  • Peltola, who represented Alaska's at-large district from 2022 to 2025, is challenging Sullivan, a two-term incumbent.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • And a later district filing to the state acknowledged that more than 500 people who worked for district contractors likely had Social Security numbers and other confidential information exposed.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The historic weather pattern claimed more than a dozen homes along the shore in Long Beach, swallowing up boardwalks and portions of the Pacific Coast Highway farther south.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued smoke advisories for several areas across the region, including portions of Newport Beach to San Clemente due to the Norte fire.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Next to her, Deary sported the quintessential Gen Z slicked-back ponytail, parted in the middle and bristle-brushed back from the sides of her head.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For the shoot, Chastain swapped her signature red hair for soft blonde waves parted at the center.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Chez Fonfon sits at the crux of Five Points South, a neighborhood named for five streets that converge in a star shape where streetcars connecting the then suburb of Highland to the city once rumbled.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Today, the customer base reflects the diversity of the surrounding neighborhood, with shoppers of all backgrounds stopping in for specialty products, custom cuts and prepared foods.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Platforms are increasingly using unskippable 30-second TV-style ads, while numerous creator videos are packed with sponsor segments, product placements and pitches.
    — William Daddi, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The wife doesn't even complain when switching from one of those political commercial rapid fire segments that come on during a Hallmark movie.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • We are connected across continents in milliseconds, but too often separated by fear, anger, and mistrust.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Initially, Jessie’s overriding goal was simply to win back playtime with Bonnie, especially after becoming separated from her during a dance class.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Simulations accounting for a 4–6-kilometer-wide grounding zone suggest a 60-percent probability that the glacier will become unpinned from the Mouginot Ridge by the end of the century.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Located just 48 light-years from Earth, this white dwarf has a deep convection zone that carries carbon from its core to its surface.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Without senior-level ownership, AI initiatives risk becoming fragmented, under-supervised or misaligned with broader business priorities.
    — Jennifer C. Wolfe, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • However, the Taurids belong to a much larger complex of dust, rocks, comets and asteroids, possibly created when a much bigger object fragmented thousands of years ago.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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