segment

1 of 2

noun

seg·​ment ˈseg-mənt How to pronounce segment (audio)
1
: a portion cut off from a geometric figure by one or more points, lines, or planes: such as
a
: the area of a circle bounded by a chord and an arc of that circle
b
: the part of a sphere cut off by a plane or included between two parallel planes
c
: the finite part of a line between two points in the line
2
a
: a separate piece of something : bit, fragment
chop the stalks into short segments
b
: one of the constituent parts into which a body, entity, or quantity is divided or marked off by or as if by natural boundaries
all segments of the population agree
segmentary adjective

segment

2 of 2

verb

seg·​ment ˈseg-ˌment How to pronounce segment (audio)
segmented; segmenting; segments

transitive verb

: to separate into segments : give off as segments
Choose the Right Synonym for segment

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole.

part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Examples of segment in a Sentence

Noun The railroad track is divided into segments. I think I lost one segment of this model kit. Verb Market researchers have segmented the population into different age groups.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The Implosion of Fatal Influence Jacy left both Fallon and Jazmyn in the back for her promo with Lola Vice on tonight’s show, which led to a segment later in the night, where a loud bang was heard off screen, with Jacy and Fallon meeting back up, finding Jazmyn laid out. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 The next evening, the official evening news broadcast — closely watched by officials and anyone trying to read the tea leaves on Beijing — included a segment highlighting China’s own semiconductors. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
This includes adding redundancy to vital systems, segmenting networks so that a compromise in one area does not spread unchecked, and developing explicit incident response processes that incorporate both cyber and physical disaster management. Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The base can be flipped over and the underside is segmented to carry cupcakes more securely or use as a serving dish. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for segment

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin segmentum, from secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of segment was in 1570

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Segment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segment. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

segment

1 of 2 noun
seg·​ment ˈseg-mənt How to pronounce segment (audio)
1
: any of the parts into which a thing is divided or naturally separates : section, division
2
a
: a part cut off from a geometric figure by a line
especially : the part of a circle enclosed by a chord and an arc
b
: a part of a straight line included between two points

called also line segment

segmented
ˈseg-ˌment-əd
seg-ˈment-
adjective

segment

2 of 2 verb
seg·​ment ˈseg-ˌment How to pronounce segment (audio)
: to separate into segments

Medical Definition

segment

1 of 2 noun
seg·​ment ˈseg-mənt How to pronounce segment (audio)
: one of the constituent parts into which a body, entity, or quantity is divided or marked off by or as if by natural boundaries
bronchopulmonary segments
the affected segment of the colon was resected

segment

2 of 2 transitive verb
seg·​ment ˈseg-ˌment How to pronounce segment (audio)
1
: to cause to undergo segmentation by division or multiplication of cells
2
: to separate into segments

More from Merriam-Webster on segment

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