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section

A section is a part or piece of something that fits together with the other pieces to make a whole. Like the arts section of a newspaper, or the rhythm section of the band that gets reviewed in it.

The root of section is the Latin word sect, which means "cut." Think dissect ("cut into pieces"), or bisect ("cut in two"). Insects are called insects because they're made up of sections — the head, the abdomen, and the thorax. It almost looks like they've been carved into three separate parts.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: section

1	n v	one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object divide into segments
2	n	a specialized division of a large organization
3	n	(geometry) the area created by a plane cutting through a solid
4	n	a land unit equal to 1 square mile

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: section

n 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”

Synonyms:: segment

Types:: show 11 types...; hide 11 types...; bend, curve
curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.); dado
the section of a pedestal between the base and the surbase; leaf
hinged or detachable flat section (as of a table or door); length
a section of something that is long and narrow; straight, straightaway
a straight segment of a roadway or racecourse; subdivision, subsection
a section of a section; a part of a part; i.e., a part of something already divided; blind bend, blind curve
a curve or bend in the road that you cannot see around as you are driving; drop-leaf
a hinged leaf on a table that can be raised and supported by a bracket; elbow
a sharp bend in a road or river; hairpin bend
a U-shaped bend in a road; stretch
a straightaway section of a racetrack

Type of:: part, portion
something less than the whole of a human artifact

n one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole

“the finance section of the company”

Synonyms:: division, part

Types:: show 25 types...; hide 25 types...; frame
one of the ten divisions into which bowling is divided; beginning
the first part or section of something; middle
an intermediate part or section; end
a final part or section; high point
the most enjoyable part of a given experience; component, constituent, element, factor, ingredient
an abstract part of something; chukka, chukker
(polo) one of six divisions into which a polo match is divided; frame, inning
(baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat; game
(tennis) a division of play during which one player serves; bout, round, turn
(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive; first period
the first division into which the play of a game is divided; second period
the second division into which the play of a game is divided; final period
the final division into which the play of a game is divided; half
one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an interval; period
(ice hockey) one of three divisions into which play is divided in hockey games; quarter
(football, professional basketball) one of four divisions into which some games are divided; over
(cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch; be all and end all, be-all and end-all
the essential factor; the all-important element; the supreme aim; plot element
a component or element of the plot of a story; point
a geometric element that has position but no extension; top, top of the inning
the first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat; bottom, bottom of the inning
the second half of an inning; while the home team is at bat; first half
the first of two halves of play; last half, second half
the second of two halves of play; maiden, maiden over
(cricket) an over in which no runs are scored

Type of:: concept, conception, construct
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

n 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”

Examples:: show 5 examples...; hide 5 examples...; Forbidden City
a walled section of Beijing that encloses the palace that was formerly the residence of the emperor of China; Latin Quarter
the region of Paris on the southern bank of the Seine; a center of artistic and student life; Montmartre
the highest point in Paris; famous for its associations with many artists; Right Bank
the region of Paris on the north bank of the Seine; Charlestown
a former town and present-day neighborhood of Boston; settled in 1629

Types:: show 7 types...; hide 7 types...; outskirts
outlying areas (as of a city or town); locality, neck of the woods, neighborhood, neighbourhood, vicinity
a surrounding or nearby region; gold coast
a rich neighborhood noted for expensive homes and luxurious living; usually along a coastal area; 'hood
(slang) a neighborhood; place
a general vicinity; proximity
the region close around a person or thing; scenery
the appearance of a place

Type of:: area, country
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)

n 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”

Synonyms:: subdivision

Examples:: show 82 examples...; hide 82 examples...; Book of Genesis
the first book of the Old Testament: tells of Creation; Adam and Eve; the Fall of Man; Cain and Abel; Noah and the flood; God's covenant with Abraham; Abraham and Isaac; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers; Book of Exodus
the second book of the Old Testament: tells of the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt led by Moses; God gave them the Ten Commandments and the rest of Mosaic law on Mount Sinai during the Exodus; Book of Leviticus
the third book of the Old Testament; contains Levitical law and ritual precedents; Book of Numbers
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt; Book of Deuteronomy
the fifth book of the Old Testament; contains a second statement of Mosaic law; Book of Joshua
a book in the Old Testament describing how Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan (the Promised Land) after the death of Moses; Book of Judges
a book of the Old Testament that tells the history of Israel under the leaders known as judges; Book of Ruth
a book of the Old Testament that tells the story of Ruth who was not an Israelite but who married an Israelite and who stayed with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband died; 1 Samuel
the first of two books in the Old Testament that tell of Saul and David; II Samuel
the second of two books of the Old Testament that tell of Saul and David; 1 Kings
the first of two Old Testament books telling the histories of the kings of Judah and Israel; II Kings
the second of two Old Testament books telling the histories of the kings of Judah and Israel; 1 Chronicles
the first of two Old Testament books telling the history of Judah and Israel until the return from the Babylonian Captivity in 536 BC; II Chronicles
the second of two Old Testament books telling the history of Judah and Israel until the return from the Babylonian Captivity in 536 BC; Book of Ezra
an Old Testament book telling of a rabbi's efforts in the 5th century BC to reconstitute Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity; Book of Nehemiah
an Old Testament book telling how a Jewish official at the court of Artaxerxes I in 444 BC became a leader in rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity; Book of Esther
an Old Testament book telling of a beautiful Jewess who became queen of Persia and saved her people from massacre; Book of Job
a book in the Old Testament containing Job's pleas to God about his afflictions and God's reply; Book of Psalms
an Old Testament book consisting of a collection of 150 Psalms; Book of Proverbs
an Old Testament book consisting of proverbs from various Israeli sages (including Solomon); Book of Ecclesiastes
an Old Testament book consisting of reflections on the vanity of human life; is traditionally attributed to Solomon but probably was written about 250 BC; Canticle of Canticles
an Old Testament book consisting of a collection of love poems traditionally attributed to Solomon but actually written much later; Book of Isaiah
an Old Testament book consisting of Isaiah's prophecies; Book of Jeremiah
a book in the Old Testament containing the oracles of the prophet Jeremiah; Book of Lamentations
an Old Testament book lamenting the desolation of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC; traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah; Book of Ezekiel
an Old Testament book containing Ezekiel's prophecies of the downfall of Jerusalem and Judah and their subsequent restoration; Book of the Prophet Daniel
an Old Testament book that tells of the apocalyptic visions and the experiences of Daniel in the court of Nebuchadnezzar; Book of Hosea
an Old Testament book telling Hosea's prophecies; Book of Joel
an Old Testament book telling Joel's prophecies; Book of Amos
an Old Testament book telling Amos's prophecies; Book of Obadiah
an Old Testament book telling Obadiah's prophecies; the shortest book in the Christian Bible; Book of Jonah
a book in the Old Testament that tells the story of Jonah and the whale; Book of Micah
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Micah foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem; Book of Nahum
an Old Testament book telling Nahum's prophecy of the fall of Nineveh; Book of Habakkuk
an Old Testament book telling Habakkuk's prophecies; Book of Zephaniah
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zephaniah which are concerned mainly with the approaching judgment by God upon the sinners of Judah; Book of Haggai
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Haggai which are concerned mainly with rebuilding the temples after the Babylonian Captivity; Book of Zachariah
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zechariah which are concerned mainly with the renewal of Israel after the Babylonian Captivity; Book of Malachi
an Old Testament book containing the prophecies of Malachi; Gospel According to Matthew
one of the Gospels in the New Testament; includes the Sermon on the Mount; Gospel According to Mark
the shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament; Gospel According to Luke
one of the four Gospels in the New Testament; contains details of Jesus's birth and early life; Gospel According to John
the last of the four Gospels in the New Testament; Acts of the Apostles
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome; Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58; First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
a New Testament book containing the first epistle from Saint Paul to the church at Corinth; Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
a New Testament book containing the second epistle from Saint Paul to the church at Corinth; Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians
a New Testament book containing the epistle from Saint Paul to the Galatians; Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians
a New Testament book containing the epistle from Saint Paul to the Ephesians which explains the divine plan for the world and the consummation of this in Christ; Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to the church at Philippi in Macedonia; Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians
a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to the Colossians in ancient Phrygia; First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians
a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians; Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians
a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians; First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy
a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's first epistle to Timothy; contains advice on pastoral matters; Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy
a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's second epistle to Timothy; contains advice on pastoral matters; Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus
a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's epistle to Titus; contains advice on pastoral matters; Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon
a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to Philemon asking Philemon to forgive the slave for escaping; Epistle to the Hebrews
a New Testament book traditionally included among the epistle of Saint Paul but now generally considered not to have been written by him; Epistle of James
a New Testament book attributed to Saint James the Apostle; First Epistle of Peter
the first New Testament book traditionally attributed to Saint Peter the Apostle; Second Epistle of Peter
the second New Testament book traditionally attributed to Saint Peter the Apostle; First Epistle of John
the first New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to Saint John the Apostle; Second Epistel of John
the second New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to Saint John the Apostle; Third Epistel of John
the third New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to Saint John the Apostle; Epistle of Jude
a New Testament book attributed to Saint Jude; Revelation of Saint John the Divine
the last book of the New Testament; contains visionary descriptions of heaven and of conflicts between good and evil and of the end of the world; attributed to Saint John the Apostle; Haphtarah
a short selection from the Prophets read on every Sabbath in a Jewish synagogue following a reading from the Torah; Additions to Esther
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Esther; Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Children
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel; Book of Susanna
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel; Bel and the Dragon
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel; Book of Baruch
an Apocryphal book ascribed to Baruch; Epistle of Jeremiah
an Apocryphal book consisting of a letter ascribed to Jeremiah to the Jews in exile in Babylon warning them against idolatry; Book of Tobit
an Apocryphal book that was a popular novel for several centuries; Book of Judith
an Apocryphal book telling how Judith saved her people; 1 Esdras
an Apocryphal book consisting of a compilation from I Chronicles and II Chronicles and Ezra and Nehemiah; II Esdras
an Apocryphal book of angelic revelations; Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach
an Apocryphal book mainly of maxims (resembling Proverbs in that respect); Wisdom of Solomon
an Apocryphal book consisting mainly of a meditation on wisdom; although ascribed to Solomon it was probably written in the first century BC; 1 Maccabees
an Apocryphal book describing the life of Judas Maccabaeus; II Maccabees
an Apocryphal book describing the life of Judas Maccabaeus; Fatihah
the first or opening sura of the Quran which is the central prayer of Islam and is used on all special occasions as well as during the five daily prayers

Types:: show 46 types...; hide 46 types...; lead, lead-in, lede
the introductory section of a story; canto
a major division of a long poem; above
an earlier section of a written text; sports section
the section of a newspaper that reports on sports; article, clause
a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will); book
a major division of a long written composition; chapter
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled; episode
a brief section of a literary or dramatic work that forms part of a connected series; spot
a section of an entertainment that is assigned to a specific performer or performance; spot
a short section or illustration (as between radio or tv programs or in a magazine) that is often used for advertising; insert
a folded section placed between the leaves of another publication; introduction
the first section of a communication; narration
(rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth; close, closing, conclusion, end, ending
the last section of a communication; passage
a section of text; particularly a section of medium length; mezuza, mezuzah
religious texts from Deuteronomy inscribed on parchment and rolled up in a case that is attached to the doorframe of many Jewish households in accordance with Jewish law; sura
one of the sections (or chapters) in the Koran; exposition
(music) the section of a movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes first occur; obbligato, obligato
a part of the score that must be performed without change or omission; recapitulation
(music) the section of a composition or movement (especially in sonata form) in which musical themes that were introduced earlier are repeated; development
(music) the section of a composition or movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes are developed and elaborated; anticlimax, bathos
a change from a serious subject to a disappointing one; arbitration clause
a clause in a contract providing for arbitration of disputes arising under the contract; deductible
a clause in an insurance policy that relieves the insurer of responsibility to pay the initial loss up to a stated amount; double indemnity
a clause in an insurance policy that provides for double the face value of the policy in the case of accidental death; escalator, escalator clause
a clause in a contract that provides for an increase or a decrease in wages or prices or benefits etc. depending on certain conditions (as a change in the cost of living index); joker
an inconspicuous clause in a document or bill that affects its meaning in a way that is not immediately apparent; reserve clause
a clause that used to be part of the contract with a professional athlete extending the contract for a year beyond its expiration; rider
a clause that is appended to a legislative bill; exordium
(rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse; opening
the initial part of the introduction; foreword, preface, prolusion
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book; preamble
a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose); prolegomenon
a preliminary discussion inserted at the beginning of a book or treatise; epilog, epilogue
a short passage added at the end of a literary work; epilog, epilogue
a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play; peroration
(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration; excerpt, excerption, extract, selection
a passage selected from a larger work; locus classicus
an authoritative and often-quoted passage; place
the passage that is being read; purple passage
a passage full of ornate and flowery language; transition
a passage that connects a topic to one that follows; Epistle
a book of the New Testament written in the form of a letter from an Apostle; prologue
an introduction to a play; coda, finale
the closing section of a musical composition; text
a passage from the Bible that is used as the subject of a sermon

Type of:: piece of writing, writing, written material
the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect); music
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

n a segment of a citrus fruit

“he ate a section of the orange”

Type of:: segment
one of the parts into which something naturally divides

v divide into segments

Synonyms:: segment

: segment
divide or split up

Types:: syllabicate, syllabify, syllabise, syllabize
divide into syllables; quarter
divide into quarters

Type of:: divide, part, separate
come apart

n a specialized division of a large organization

“she got a job in the historical section of the Treasury”

Synonyms:: department

Types:: show 35 types...; hide 35 types...; academic department
a division of a school that is responsible for a given subject; business department
a division of a business firm; personnel, personnel department, personnel office, staff office
the department responsible for hiring and training and placing employees and for setting policies for personnel management; government department
a department of government; payroll, payroll department
the department that determines the amounts of wage or salary due to each employee; security, security department
a department responsible for the security of the institution's property and workers; ministry
a government department under the direction of a minister; anthropology department, department of anthropology
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in anthropology; art department
the academic department responsible for teaching art and art appreciation; biology department, department of biology
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in biology; chemistry department, department of chemistry
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in chemistry; department of computer science
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in computer science; department of economics, economics department
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in economics; English department, department of English
the academic department responsible for teaching English and American literature; department of history, history department
the academic department responsible for teaching history; department of linguistics, linguistics department
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in linguistics; department of mathematics, mathematics department
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in mathematics; department of philosophy, philosophy department
the academic department responsible for teaching philosophy; department of physics, physics department
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in physics; department of music, music department
the academic department responsible for teaching music and music appreciation; department of psychology, psychology department
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in psychology; department of sociology, sociology department
the academic department responsible for teaching and research in sociology; advertising department, advertising division
the division of a business that is responsible for advertising; editorial department
the department of a publishing business that edits material for publication; parts department
the division of a business (e.g. a service garage) that sells replacement parts; building department, plant department
the division of a business responsible for building and maintaining the physical plant; purchasing department
the division of a business that is responsible for purchases; sales department, sales division, sales force
the division of a business that is responsible for selling products or services; service department
the division of a business that provides customer services; treasury
the government department responsible for collecting and managing and spending public revenues; department of local government, local department
a permanent department created to perform the work of a local government; Special Branch
a government police department dealing with political security; State Department
a department of government in one of the 50 states; department of the federal government, federal department, federal office
a department of the federal government of the United States; admiralty
the department in charge of the navy (as in Great Britain)

Type of:: division
an administrative unit in government or business

n a division of an orchestra containing all instruments of the same class

Types:: show 7 types...; hide 7 types...; brass, brass section
the section of a band or orchestra that plays brass instruments; string section, strings
the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments; percussion, percussion section, rhythm section
the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments; reed section
the section of a band or orchestra that plays reed instruments; violin section
the section of an orchestra that plays violins; trumpet section
the section of a band or orchestra that plays trumpets or cornets; clarinet section
the section of a band or orchestra that plays clarinets

Type of:: musical group, musical organisation, musical organization
an organization of musicians who perform together

n a small team of policemen working as part of a police platoon

Type of:: squad, team
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)

n 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”

Synonyms:: discussion section

Type of:: class, course, form, grade
a body of students who are taught together

n a small army unit usually having a special function

Type of:: army unit
a military unit that is part of an army

n (geometry) the area created by a plane cutting through a solid

Synonyms:: plane section

Types:: cross section
a section created by a plane cutting a solid perpendicular to its longest axis; profile
a vertical section of the Earth's crust showing the different horizons or layers

Type of:: area, expanse, surface area
the extent of a 2-dimensional surface enclosed within a boundary

n a very thin slice (of tissue or mineral or other substance) for examination under a microscope

“sections from the left ventricle showed diseased tissue”

Type of:: slice
a thin flat piece cut off of some object

n the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation)

Synonyms:: incision, surgical incision

Types:: show 12 types...; hide 12 types...; gastromy
surgical incision into the stomach; perineotomy
surgical incision into the perineum; laparotomy
surgical incision into the abdominal wall; often done to examine abdominal organs; orchotomy
surgical incision into the testis to obtain material for analysis (as in cases of abnormally low sperm count); sclerotomy
surgical incision of the sclerotic coat of the eye; nephrotomy
incision into a kidney (usually to remove a kidney stone); thoracotomy
surgical incision into the chest walls opening up the pleural cavity; valvotomy, valvulotomy
incision into a stenosed cardiac valve to relieve the obstruction; phlebotomy, venesection
surgical incision into a vein; used to treat hemochromatosis; vasosection, vasotomy
surgical incision into or division of the vas deferens; episiotomy
surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vagina and so facilitate delivery during childbirth; laparoscopy
laparotomy performed with a laparoscope that makes a small incision to examine the abdominal cavity (especially the ovaries and Fallopian tubes)

Type of:: cut, cutting
the act of penetrating or opening open with a sharp edge

n a land unit equal to 1 square mile

Type of:: square mile
an area of 640 acres

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