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
Naturally, some of our favorites happen to be in the women’s designer sale section. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026 Here, a breakfast buffet to beat all other buffets is available, with plenty of fruit, a serious pastry section and a daily changing South Asian offering such as Sri Lankan hoppers or Maldivian tuna curry. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 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
  • Tax allocation districts are designated areas where a certain amount of property tax revenue growth is diverted away from governments and used to fund specific improvements within that district.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • DyAnnah Butler’s promotion from diverse learning coordinator at the high school’s Washington campus to assistant principal at the district’s Alternative Optional Education Center (AOEC) was also unanimously approved by the board.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • An extreme heat warning is currently in place for Death Valley, which is the lowest, hottest and driest portion of the North American continent and the United States’ largest national park outside of Alaska.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In SouthPark or South Charlotte, Little Mamas offers family-sized portions of chicken or eggplant Parmesan ($53 and $32, respectively) that feed two to three people — and that’s likely to stretch further with little ones.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 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
  • This marks a larger shift in how healthcare is administered globally, with many aging societies transitioning from hospital-centric care to more personalized and accessible options which are embedded in neighborhoods and communities.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The grant will pay for design and preconstruction work for the bridge in the Baker neighborhood.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Breadth is what separates a durable business from a one-drug pharma, and Amgen is getting contribution from every segment.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
  • These new facilities are part of a string of recent investments in strategic market segments such as healthcare, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.
    Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The team analyzed the corridor over the long term and used seasonal-trend decomposition using LOESS, a statistical method that helped separate seasonal fluctuations from longer-term settlement.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The bridge connects two settlements in a valley in northwest Rwanda that are separated by the river.
    Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Students will also study mines and explosive hazards, first aid for combat injuries, chemical and radiation exposure and acute stress, as well as survival training and procedures for operating in conflict zones.
    Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After Winston completed a 15-yard pass to Braxton Berrios, McCrary-Ball stripped the receiver, and Stiggers recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchback.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Not that it’s been fragmented in a detrimental way, but the first three episodes were largely dedicated to establishing the new status quo.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Montemayor told Campus Insights Media that alcohol disrupts rest at a biological level, fragmenting sleep into short bursts that leave a person feeling drained the following morning.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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