section 1 of 2

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

Relevance
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
The criticism was swift, sparking debates in comments sections and forums online about privilege, accessibility, and animal welfare. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026 The events will be hosted at Sporting Plaza, with general admission seating available in sections 101-113 of the stadium. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Verb
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 So, where does section 179 fit into all of this? Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for section
Noun
  • After all, plenty of the lawmakers who voted for the bill got into office winning votes from a majority of those who cast ballots on election day, not a majority of all voters in their districts.
    Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • The annual cost of using i-Ready in the district amounts to less than $10 per student, the spokesperson added.
    Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Specific financial arrangements have not been announced, though a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit a local nonprofit that provides programming for the LGBTQ+ community.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
  • However, the cap would have only covered a small portion of the losses caused by the collapse of the bridge, AG Brown said.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Following The Athletic’s reporting, the organization parted ways with Peter Soto, vice president of game presentation and fan experience.
    Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • Ujiri and the Raptors parted ways in 2025 after 12 years.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.
    Sammy Duda, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • The neighborhood/area The hotel sits in Giza along the western bank of the Nile.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Filming for this season’s segments at the six restaurants all took place in February, with Fieri visiting each spot with his son and fellow Food Network personality, Hunter.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
  • The system is paired with CATL’s latest 6C Qilin battery technology, positioning the luxury MPV among the faster-charging EVs in its segment.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, VSD is when there's a hole in the wall separating the heart’s lower chambers, while ASD is a hole in the heart's upper chambers, increasing the amount of blood that flows through the lungs.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
  • Although there’s a contiguous flow between the indoor and outdoor portions of the club, the areas can also be separated by a seamless glass wall that can be folded back completely into pockets on the side.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Parking for the new facility would be on a portion of the land that cannot be developed because of the safety zone.
    Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
  • Artichoke Artichokes are an excellent perennial option for gardeners in mild climates, with most varieties growing best in USDA zones 7 to 11.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • However, the clouds that are dense, cold, and moving slowly are often prime candidates to first contract, and then to fragment and collapse, leading to new stars.
    Big Think, Big Think, 8 May 2026
  • As shopper attention spans tighten and the journey from discovery to checkout becomes increasingly fragmented, the brands and retailers that will stand out are those that view every pixel across a retailer’s website and app as valuable brand and commercial real estate.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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