section
SEHK-shuhn
Section (noun) means a distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or object. Example: “Please read the introduction section before starting the exam.”
noun
1
A distinct part of something larger, such as a document, area, or object.
"Please read the introduction section before starting the exam."
"The orchestra's string section rehearsed separately."
"The shop has a large section for children's books near the entrance."
verb
1
To divide something into separate parts, or (British, informal) to have someone detained under mental health law.
"The report is sectioned into five chapters."
"Mum sectioned the orange carefully and handed a piece to each child."
"The doctors feared he was a danger to himself, so they sectioned him."
How to use section
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA part or division of something bigger, like a chapter, department, or slice.
Common pairings
a section of
the string section
cross section
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sections
- Past tense
- sectioned
Fill the gap
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Please read the introduction _____ before starting the exam.
Etymology
From Old French "section," from Latin "sectio" ("a cutting"), from "secare" ("to cut") — the same root as "saw."
Synonyms
View more →
part
segment
portion
division
piece
subdivision
component
department
incision
plane section
surgical incision
discussion section
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for section
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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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