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
After the comments section was flooded with messages from Instagram users criticizing the timing of the post, Kim added an additional comment with an explanation. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Usually, that means picking a more premium seating section or opting for an aisle or window seat, depending on preference. Lindsey Campbell, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 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
  • Bourne is running to replace incumbent trustee Elizabeth Moon, who was elected in 2022, according to the district’s website.
    Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
  • The Cook Political Report deems the seat to be a solidly Republican district.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Widespread totals of 2 to 4 inches, with up to 6 inches in the strongest thunderstorms, are possible from the western Florida Panhandle to southern portions of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and possibly the Texas coast.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Jersey Mike’s Stock Still Comes With Concentrated Control Only a relatively small portion of Jersey Mike’s shares is expected to trade publicly after the offering.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Eighth Grade’s depiction of smartphones is particularly noteworthy, as Kayla can hardly be parted from hers.
    Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • The sympathy Reese garnered translated online to further resentment for Clark among Reese's supporters, as Reese's parting image as a college basketball player was that of a teary-eyed victim.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026
Noun
  • But that’s not the only reason the city and its surrounding neighborhoods, long known as a lively metropolis of late nights and ocean views, have become a developer’s playground.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • General manager Anthony Reese, who runs the NoDa location, told CharlotteFive the pet-friendly pub was sold to Small Bar, a neighborhood dive known for craft cocktails and beer.
    Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • A certain segment of the fan base appears ready to move past Wilson and look right to the second-round rookie Bernard — and maybe that’s how the depth chart will eventually shake out.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Every significant segment moved an existing SummerSlam program rather than starting a new one, which suggests creative considers the card close to set.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Japan’s government separated the two traditions of Shinto and Buddhism in 1868 during the Meiji era, effectively bringing Shinto shrines under state control and placing the emperor at the center of the new order.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Knowing their days of bloodline privilege are numbered, the German and the French aristocrat bond, their class affinities binding them more tightly than the uniforms that separate them.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Educational information about cannabis lines the first walkway, leading to a small staircase descending to the fun zone.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2026
  • Sasaki was in the zone enough — 48 percent of the time — to make the most of it.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Because the data that should enable real-time visibility is fragmented across a kaleidoscope of data, inside different systems and owned by different stakeholders throughout the entire network.
    Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • As healthcare becomes increasingly fragmented, patients are no longer simply choosing between doctors.
    Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on section

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