Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small class of students who are part of a larger course but are taught separately: A "discussion section" is a smaller, more interactive class that supplements a larger lecture course. It provides a forum for students to discuss lecture material, ask questions, and work on problems under the guidance of a teaching assistant or instructor.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Attendance at the weekly discussion section is mandatory.
  • The professor's lecture is on Monday, and my discussion section meets on Wednesday.
  • In the discussion section, we reviewed the key concepts from the week's lecture.

Advanced Usage

• "to lead a discussion section": to be the instructor or teaching assistant in charge of a discussion section.
  • As a teaching assistant, her main duty is to lead a discussion section for the introductory biology course.

Variants and Related Words

• Section (n): In an academic context, this can be a shortened, informal form of "discussion section."
  • What time is your chemistry section?
• Recitation (n): A similar type of small class meeting, often focused on reviewing material, which is sometimes used synonymously with "discussion section."
  • The calculus recitation helps students practice problem sets.

Synonyms

• Tutorial (n): A small class for intensive instruction or discussion, though often with more direct teaching than a typical discussion section.
• Seminar (n): A small, advanced class focused on discussion, but usually for more specialized topics than a standard discussion section.

Related Phrases

• Discussion group (n): A general term for a small group meeting to discuss a topic, not necessarily tied to a formal academic course.
  • The book club functions as a lively discussion group.

Noun

1. a small class of students who are part of a larger course but are taught separately
   • a graduate student taught sections for the professor's lecture course