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section

12 synonyms and 1 antonym for section, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or object.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

incision plane section surgical incision discussion section

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or object.

“Please read the introduction section before starting the exam.”

part segment portion division piece subdivision component department incision plane section surgical incision discussion section

Opposites

2. verb

To divide something into separate parts, or (British, informal) to have someone detained under mental health law.

“The report is sectioned into five chapters.”

How to use section

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a section of the string section cross section

Etymology

From Old French "section," from Latin "sectio" ("a cutting"), from "secare" ("to cut") — the same root as "saw."

Full origin of section →

Frequently asked questions

What does “section” mean?
The word “section” means a distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or object. In plain terms, a part or division of something bigger, like a chapter, department, or slice.
How do you pronounce “section”?
“Section” is pronounced SEHK-shuhn (/ˈsɛkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “section” in a sentence?
Here is “section” used in a sentence: “Please read the introduction section before starting the exam.”
What part of speech is “section”?
Depending on how it is used, “section” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “section” come from?
The word “section” comes from Latin. From Old French "section," from Latin "sectio" ("a cutting"), from "secare" ("to cut") — the same root as "saw.".
Is “section” a common word?
“Section” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “section” have?
“Section” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or object.
What is the difference between a section and a chapter?
A chapter is a specific kind of section used to divide a book or long document, usually numbered or titled and read in sequence. A section is a broader term for any distinct part of something — a document, a shop, a road, or an orchestra. Every chapter is a section, but not every section is a chapter.
What is the difference between a section and a segment?
The two overlap, but a section is usually a defined part with a clear role, like a section of a report or a store. A segment often suggests one piece of something cut or divided into similar parts, such as a segment of an orange or a market segment. Sections feel structural; segments feel sliced.
What are some examples of a section?
Sections appear almost everywhere. A newspaper has a sports section, a report has an introduction section, and a supermarket has a frozen-food section. An orchestra has a string section, and a road may have a closed section. In each case, it is a distinct, recognisable part of a larger whole.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.