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

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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
That’s because instead of the usual approach by LEGO — build the stand and core, then slap the faces on — this goes in sections from the centre, like a jigsaw puzzle. Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Henry Chaisson’s debut feature will world premiere in the Escape From Tribeca section of Tribeca Film Festival next month. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 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
  • The district will provide support to those affected by Knuth’s sudden death, the school said.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 20 May 2026
  • These three stories are shaping conversation in Charlotte on May 19, 2026, from a controversial teen curfew at a popular shopping district to a small-town mayor’s political future.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • In a later portion of the video, sources said the person believed to be Clark can be seen reaching into the backseat of the vehicle and then shooting Vazquez, before chambering a second round and taking his own life.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 May 2026
  • The scale has certainly been pumped up, with an obviously bigger budget, spectacular action sequences and a significant portion projected in full IMAX-level proportions.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • That drone morphs into a sea shanty–like melody, as if the clouds have parted and the waters calmed, giving you a stable place to stand after having to constantly adjust your footing.
    Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
  • Read on for Eric Kripke’s parting thoughts on The Boys, all episodes of which are now available to stream on Prime Video.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • The neighborhood/area Brickell gets a bad rep among visitors as Miami Beach’s boring, business-minded sibling, but a quick walk from the hotel will reveal the up-and-coming neighborhood to be an energizing community lined with vibrant (and clean) shops, restaurants, and bars.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
  • Videos of the Saturday night melee at a Chipotle in the Navy Yard neighborhood showed youths throwing punches and chairs as patrons watched in fear.
    Steve Thompson, Washington Post, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • Page 11 displays one of the S-1 chief set-pieces, a chart showing the total addressable markets for each of its three segments.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 May 2026
  • The specialty insurance segment is much wider, including commercial auto, commercial property, travel accident, aviation, environmental, cyber, and numerous other coverages, offered up to a variety of industries, including transportation, healthcare, education, retail, energy and more.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • Becca Sobol reached base safely in all five at-bats in a well-rounded offensive showing that separated from a 4-4 game after five innings.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
  • Just lay one between each plate to separate them for neat and quiet storage.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • And then in a 2-2 count to Sal Frelick, Sasaki threw a fastball up and out of the zone.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
  • Officials also displayed a map that shows the blast zone if the tank fails and there is an explosion, as well as where the most severe damage of infrastructure is expected.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Traditional car rental businesses focused mostly on economy transportation, while luxury services were fragmented and difficult to access.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
  • DesignSpec’s integration with tools like Revit also reflects a broader push toward interoperability between designers and architects, an area that has historically been fragmented.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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