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
TikTok is introducing a slew of new features to its video comment section. Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Melissa Sue Gerrits | Getty Images Federal law provides tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) to organizations that operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. Greg Iacurci,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 3 Sep. 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
  • While psychic readers have storefronts in other parts of the city, this change applies to the Community Business and Boulevard Business zoning districts, which previously did not permit soothsaying.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In March, the district asked developers to apply for the chance to build housing at the two campuses.
    Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Because individual-stock premiums are currently richer, managers may also be able to meet their income targets by writing options against a smaller portion of the portfolio.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The struggles contributed to growing frustration among portions of UCLA’s fan and donor base.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When their plan goes horribly awry, the couple is parted once again.
    Tanya Fedak, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In its place is a head of dark, longer hair parted down the middle, with loose curtain bangs falling across his forehead and framing his face.
    Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • On a recent swampy day in July, a lone tourist was posing for a photo in front of one of the historic townhouses along Columbia Heights, the most picturesque street in Brooklyn’s most picturesque neighborhood.
    Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Visible from outside the museum as much as from within, it was commissioned in 1952 by collectors and LACMA benefactors Sidney and Frances Brody for their midcentury home in LA’s Holmby Hills neighborhood.
    George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Within that $10 billion-plus partnership ad segment, Temu’s presence is huge.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • And despite several headlines that consumers are buying fewer sneakers in lieu of dressier options, retailers are seeing growth in multiple segments of the men’s shoe market.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Screening electrons at nanoscale The researchers built a structure containing two twisted graphene bilayers separated by less than a nanometre.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • To lose them both to separate suicides while facing his own mortality as an active athlete requires true fortitude.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • After driving for a touchdown on their opening drive, the Wolverines didn’t score again until Buchanan snagged Underwood’s pass amid a crowd of defenders in the end zone.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Italy's economy slows The milestone is particularly notable in a country long associated with political instability — a problem heightened by the 2010 to 2012 euro zone sovereign debt crisis — with 68 governments serving over 80 years.
    Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Many organizations still operate multiple ERPs, driving up costs, fragmenting data and slowing decisions.
    David Zwick, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But those manual processes are often fragmented across the retailer and the logistics businesses.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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