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
Expect more fashion weeks, capsule launches and retailer events to build in real-time buying, turning the front row into a livestream comment section. Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Sometimes individuals who begin the legal process do not know the name of their grandparents, which is a section required in the solicitation process. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 16 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
  • The attack comes a day after a roadside bomb struck a security forces convoy in the northwestern Hangu district and killed six soldiers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • According to Castillo, the two projections illustrate how the timing and pace of implementing the reductions could affect the district’s ability to maintain enough cash to meet its payroll and other financial obligations throughout the year.
    Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Flood Watches are up for portions of Montana and Wyoming through Sunday afternoon.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The LaRue family was followed by the Romani family, which updated the infrastructure and remodeled portions of the house.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Her hair was parted to one side and folded underneath to meet her chin.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Out of that conversation grew my novel The Undead, which is, in some ways, a parting love letter to Moscow.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In May, a groundswell of opposition spearheaded by neighborhood leaders and advocates pushed the regional transportation board to kill the project.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The attack on Sais, a Sacramento City Hall employee and liaison to City Councilmember Eric Guerra, colored an otherwise joyous and defiant Rainbow Festival this weekend in the midtown neighborhood.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Lehrer later posted the segment on social media, tagging Yair Netanyahu, the Prime Minister’s son.
    Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • According to quarterly earnings reported in May, company revenue surged 85% year-on-year, with the data center segment accounting for over 90% of revenue in recent quarters.
    , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Brad Pitt was separated from girlfriend Ines De Ramon during Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.
    Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Ravel’s patent application describes cleaning and shredding incoming textiles, removing metal and other nontextile components and separating waste into broad material categories before purification.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • These micro-drones usually crash in low-visibility crisis zones where dust, smoke, or pitch darkness blinds cameras.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Prior to the injury, Green returned a kick for a touchdown and recovered a fumble in the end zone for another touchdown.
    Connor Riley, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The report also found that communication to fire survivors was fragmented and lacked predictable pathways to reach residents.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The Mandate Kept Expanding As the media environment fragmented, clients began asking PR to do more than earn coverage.
    Julia Ruttner, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/section. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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