Definition of segmentnext
as in portion
one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled I think I lost one segment of this model kit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

segment

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word segment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of segment are division, fragment, member, part, piece, portion, and section. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Where would division be a reasonable alternative to segment?

The synonyms division and segment are sometimes interchangeable, but division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of segment?

The meanings of fragment and segment largely overlap; however, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

In what contexts can member take the place of segment?

While the synonyms member and segment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than segment?

Although the words part and segment have much in common, part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When could piece be used to replace segment?

The words piece and segment can be used in similar contexts, but piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When would portion be a good substitute for segment?

The words portion and segment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is it sensible to use section instead of segment?

In some situations, the words section and segment are roughly equivalent. However, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

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 segment
Noun
ShipSticks, which helps transport golf clubs and bags, is featured in different segments of the program, says Weitz, which requires golfers to figure out logistics for equipment. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026 Kids frolicked in the new Nikki Spoelstra Play Forest, one of the segment’s highlights, while a band played and vendors hawked food by South Miami City Hall as advocates and officials spoke at the dedication. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
Verb
If a judge overturned Tuesday’s court ruling to extend polling place times, the provisional ballots would help election officials segment out votes cast after polls were originally scheduled to close. Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026 Their body is soft, and under magnification, is distinctly segmented. Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for segment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for segment
Noun
  • Farrell said a meaningful portion of the advance appeared to have been driven by traders closing bearish positions.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Those provisions give the inspector general new authority to temporarily withhold portions of his reports that reveal security risks, fraud-detection gaps or pending litigation.
    Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Which amendment prohibits quartering of troops in homes during peacetime?
    Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, break the cauliflower into small florets, halving or quartering the larger ones, and rinse well.
    Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • There’s a keen juxtaposition of the old and the modern throughout this part of Edinburgh, where buildings made of ancient volcanic sandstone accommodate hip boutiques like record store Underground Solu'shn and coffee shops like The Milkman.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Joe, for his part, ignores Nathan’s call before the guests arrive.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Recent history recalls plans to partition Iraq into ethnic substates.
    David Armitage, Washington Post, 26 June 2026
  • In August 1947 the Indian subcontinent achieved independence from British rule but was simultaneously partitioned into the separate countries India and Pakistan.
    Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 May 2026
Noun
  • The City Attorney's Office has about 160 lawyers, including an Employment Law section with 17 total employees, according to the city.
    Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The archive Mittelman created covers every iteration of the live-theater playhouse and has several sections, one of which lists the name of everyone who ever performed on its stage.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Was the discursive thread accidental, or emblematic of the two poles the AI industry is now bifurcated between?
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • London said the rental market is bifurcated, with older apartment complexes generally fuller than newer ones.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
Verb
  • Graduate students on Rochman’s team are dissecting fish and finding that manmade bits ingested by some of their catch passed from stomachs into filets.
    Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Who better to help dissect the impasse than someone who was actively involved in NBA front-office negotiations for a living?
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • For easier replanting, discard the woody central clump of the plant before dividing.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • There will always be a way to divide the teams with a discrepancy below that exact amount.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Segment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/segment. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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