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

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
Parents can sneak away to the adults-only section with a pool and swim-up bars, or retreat to the spa fitted with a Turkish bath, hydrotherapies and Swiss showers. Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026 That's because the section in the FACE Act criminalizing interference at houses of worship fundamentally misstates the rights people have under the First Amendment. Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Eager to address some of the criticism and confusion, Weldon later took to the comments section herself to explain what happened next. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 After sectioning the hair further, Campora treated each two-inch section with Joico's JoiWhip Design Foam and blow-dried with a large round brush, pinned to set and cool. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for section
Recent Examples of Synonyms for section
Noun
  • Student input essential As student trustee, Lopez serves as the official student representative on the district’s Board of Trustees and acts as a bridge between students and district governance.
    Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The location right in the heart of the Qianhai financial district, which captures the city’s overall ascent from a humble fishing village to a thriving business and technological hub.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Last year, the swimming portion was canceled because of large swells and the event made a quick pivot by offering a 5K run the night before.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
  • The unit is currently deployed to the Pokrovsk area -- one of the most intense portions of the front and the focus of a grinding Russian offensive since the summer of 2024.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Their hair — Gyllenhaal’s a chocolate brown shade and Buckley’s a butter blond mix — was trimmed chin length and parted on opposite sides of their heads.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
  • After a disappointing second-round defeat at the Australian Open last month, Raducanu parted company with her coach, Francisco Roig.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Westport Café, a neighborhood French spot serving until midnight, is a recommendation from the owners.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The city's classic neighborhood dive bars, once hubs of local culture, are disappearing.
    Abby Dodge, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • An In Memoriam segment paid tribute to a number of late musical icons, with local hero Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the former Stone Roses bassist who died in November 2025, recognised by The Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The firm is particularly bullish on the company’s wide array of business segments like fintech and grocery.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • For fall 2026, in addition to her bestselling tailoring and cashmere and wool knits, there were terrific leather separates — including sleek strapless tops and pants cut from bull leather for more structure — and a new incursion into leisurewear.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Comcast's spinoff of Versant's channels was an effort to separate itself from a deteriorating business.
    Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Numerous airlines canceled international flights to Dubai through the weekend after India's civil aviation agency designated much of the Middle East -- including skies above Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon -- as a high-security risk zone at all altitudes.
    CARA RUBINSKY, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
  • The Stars wanted an interference call on the Predators on the zone entry, but didn’t get it.
    Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Geopolitical pressures mean energy is increasingly fragmented across geographies with different energy dynamics playing out in different places.
    Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
  • If one side fragments badly enough, surprises can happen.
    James Ward, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on section

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster