section

1 of 2

noun

sec·​tion ˈsek-shən How to pronounce section (audio)
1
a
: the action or an instance of cutting or separating by cutting
b
: a part set off by or as if by cutting
2
: a distinct part or portion of something written (such as a chapter, law, or newspaper)
3
a
: the profile of something as it would appear if cut through by an intersecting plane
b
: the plane figure resulting from the cutting of a solid by a plane
4
: a natural subdivision of a taxonomic group
5
: a character § used as a mark for the beginning of a section and as a reference mark
6
: a piece of land one square mile in area forming especially one of the 36 subdivisions of a township
7
: a distinct part of a territorial or political area, community, or group of people
the historic section of the city
8
a
: a part that may be, is, or is viewed as separated
a board cut into sections
the northern section of the route
b
: one segment of a fruit : carpel
9
: a basic military unit usually having a special function
10
: a very thin slice (as of tissue) suitable for microscopic examination
11
a
: one of the classes formed by dividing the students taking a course
b
: one of the discussion groups into which a conference or organization is divided
12
a
: a part of a permanent railroad way under the care of a particular crew
b
: one of two or more vehicles or trains which run on the same schedule
13
: one of several component parts that may be assembled or reassembled
a bookcase in sections
14
: a division of an orchestra composed of one class of instruments
the string section
15

section

2 of 2

verb

sectioned; sectioning ˈsek-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce section (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to cut or separate into sections
section an orange
2
: to represent in sections

intransitive verb

: to become cut or separated into parts
Choose the Right Synonym for section

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 section in a Sentence

Noun the upper section of the bridge This section of the road is closed. the frozen food section in the supermarket the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn Do you want to sit in the nonsmoking section? The dictionary includes a section on signs and symbols. Section 1123 of the bankruptcy code. ads that target one section of the population The siding comes in five-foot sections. Verb Peel and section the orange. Section the chicken and marinate the parts. She was sectioned by the judge.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The book runs 286 pages, and has 14 major sections on applying behavioral science to topics like imagery, copywriting, non-profits, etc. Roger Dooley, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Straight-ticket voters who want to make selections on the nonpartisan section of the ballot, which includes the Michigan Supreme Court and other judicial races, would have to make those choices separately. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
Your natural hair is sectioned into smaller parts and pressed in between two wefts of hair extensions. Jazmine Boutte, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2024 The lineup is sectioned into galas, signature screenings, special presentation, professional and student competition films, Docs to Watch, Pixels and Pencils, and the Behind the Lens and Below the Line panel series. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for section 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin section-, sectio, from secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1819, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of section was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near section

Cite this Entry

“Section.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/section. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

section

1 of 2 noun
sec·​tion ˈsek-shən How to pronounce section (audio)
1
: a part cut off or separated
a section of an orange
2
: a part of a written work
the sports section of the newspaper
3
: the appearance that a thing has or would have if cut straight through
a drawing of a ship in section
4
: a part of an area, community, or group of people
the business section of town
5
: one of several parts (as of a bookcase) that may be assembled or reassembled
6
: a part of an orchestra composed of one class of instruments
the brass section

section

2 of 2 verb
sectioned; sectioning -sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce section (audio)
1
: to cut or separate into or become cut or separated into parts or sections
2
: to represent in sections (as by a drawing)
Etymology

Noun

from Latin section-, sectio "section, the act of cutting," from secare "to cut" — related to dissect, insect

Medical Definition

section

1 of 2 noun
sec·​tion ˈsek-shən How to pronounce section (audio)
1
: the action or an instance of cutting or separating by cutting
especially : the action of dividing (as tissues) surgically
nerve section
abdominal section
see cesarean section
2
: a natural subdivision of a taxonomic group
3
: a very thin slice (as of tissue) suitable for microscopic examination

section

2 of 2 transitive verb
sectioned; sectioning -sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce section (audio)
1
: to divide (a body part or organ) surgically
section a nerve
2
: to cut (fixed tissue) into thin slices for microscopic examination

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