Definition

Noun 1. A distinct part or subdivision of a larger whole: A section is one of the parts that something is divided into. 2. A distinct area within a place or group: A section can be a specific area within a town, a community, or an organization. 3. A diagram or representation of something as if cut through by an intersecting plane: A section shows the internal structure of an object as seen from a cut surface. 4. A thin slice of material for examination under a microscope: A section is a very thin slice of tissue, mineral, or other substance prepared for microscopic study. 5. The action of cutting or separating something: In medical contexts, section refers to the act of cutting, especially during surgery.

Verb 1. To divide something into distinct parts: To section something is to cut or separate it into sections.

Usage Examples

Noun * The book is divided into three main sections. * I always read the sports section of the newspaper first. * The architect studied the building's cross-section. * The biologist prepared a tissue section for the microscope. * The surgeon performed a cesarean section.

Verb * The orange was sectioned into individual segments. * The city is sectioned into different voting districts.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in the ... section": To be located within a specific part of a larger area.
  • Our seats are in the balcony section of the theater.
• "A section of the public": A specific group within the general population.
  • The new policy is unpopular with a large section of the public.

Variants and Related Words

• Subsection (n): A division within a section.
  • See subsection 4.2 for more details.
• Cross-section (n): 1. A surface or shape exposed by making a straight cut through something. 2. A representative sample of a larger group.
  • The diagram shows a cross-section of the engine.
  • The survey interviewed a cross-section of society.
• Sectional (adj): Relating to a particular section or group; also, a type of sofa made of separate pieces.
  • The debate revealed sectional interests within the party.

Synonyms

• Part, segment, division, portion, piece, slice, sector, department.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "Cesarean section": A surgical procedure for delivering a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen.
  • The baby was delivered by cesarean section.

Noun

1. the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation)
2. a segment of a citrus fruit
   • he ate a section of the orange
3. a specialized division of a large organization
   • you'll find it in the hardware department
   • she got a job in the historical section of the Treasury
4. a small army unit usually having a special function
5. a division of an orchestra containing all instruments of the same class
6. 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
7. (geometry) the area created by a plane cutting through a solid
8. a land unit equal to 1 square mile
9. one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole
   • the written part of the exam
   • the finance section of the company
   • the BBC's engineering division
10. a small team of policemen working as part of a police platoon
11. one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object
    • a section of a fishing rod
    • metal sections were used below ground
    • finished the final segment of the road
12. a distinct region or subdivision of a territorial or political area or community or group of people
    • no section of the nation is more ardent than the South
    • there are three synagogues in the Jewish section
13. a very thin slice (of tissue or mineral or other substance) for examination under a microscope
    • sections from the left ventricle showed diseased tissue
14. a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
    • he always turns first to the business section
    • the history of this work is discussed in the next section

Verb

1. divide into segments
   • segment an orange
   • segment a compound word