WordGarden.iosection
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɛkʃən/
US
- /ˈsɛkʃən/
Meanings
Noun
one of the parts that something is divided into
a distinct part of a text, report, form, or website
a distinct area or region of a place, object, or display
More meaningsFewer meanings
a subdivision of a class, organization, store, or other group
a numbered subdivision of a law, code, contract, or other formal document
Beyond the definition
Imagine a pie or a book. You do not deal with the whole thing all at once. You break it into smaller parts. A section is one clear part of something bigger, whether that is a pie, a book, a city, or a group of people.
Think about a newspaper. It has sections like "Sports," "Politics," and "Local News." In an orchestra, there is a string section and a brass section. You can also section off an area, meaning to divide it for a special use, like saving one section of a concert hall for VIP guests. Sometimes, a section is also a department in an organization.
The word "section" refers to a clear part of something larger. It can be a physical part, an area, a group, or one named part of a text or system. If you peel an orange, it comes apart into sections. A map may be divided into sections so you can find places more easily. A long document, form, or textbook is also often broken into sections, with each one covering a different topic.
But "section" is not limited to physical parts. It is also a common word for parts of laws, rules, and contracts. In music, a section can mean a group of instruments, such as the string section, or one part of a song, such as the verse or chorus. In science, a cross-section shows what something looks like inside after it has been cut across.
There is also a verb form, "section," which means to divide something into parts. A cook may section a grapefruit, and a scientist or doctor may section tissue for study. The word can also describe a part of a city, a part of a store, or a department in an organization. In all of these uses, "section" points to one part that belongs to a larger whole.
Examples
- 1
Essay structure
Divide your essay into short sections with clear headings.
- 2
Store area
I found the batteries in the household section of the store.
- 3
Report reading
Please read the final section of the report before the meeting.
- 4
Website information
There’s a section on visa requirements near the end of the website.
- Patternsection on + topic
part about that topic
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Newspaper department
She writes for the sports section of the local paper.
- 6
Seating area
We were sitting in section 112, close to the stage.
- 7
Orchestra group
The violins come in after the brass section.
- Domainthe brass section
the group of brass instruments in an orchestra or band
- 8
Legal reference
Under this section of the law, landlords must give written notice.
- Phraseunder this section of the law
according to that part of the law
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- in this section
- section of the report
- sports section
- section heading
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sectionnounverb
Forms
- sectionspluralnounverb
- sectionedpast tenseverbnoun
- sectioning-ing formverbnoun