Section: meaning, definitions and examples

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section

[ˈsɛkʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

education

A distinct part or portion of a written work, such as a book or a newspaper, or of a document.

Synonyms

division, part, segment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
section	Typically used to refer to a specific part of a larger document, book, or area. Common in academic, formal writing, and technical contexts. Please refer to section 3 for more details. The first section of the book introduces the main characters.
part	A general term for a portion of a whole. It can be used in various contexts ranging from physical objects to abstract concepts. It is informal and versatile. This is the most interesting part of the movie. He played an important part in the project.
division	Often used to describe the act of separating something into parts or the state of being separated. It is also common in organizational contexts to denote different branches or units. The division of the company into different departments improved efficiency. There is a clear division of responsibilities among the team members.
segment	Used to describe a distinct, separate part of something, often in a context where precision is important, such as mathematics, business, or science. In marketing, the segment of the customer base aged 18-25 is very important. The line was divided into equal segments.

Examples of usage

Please read the first section of the book for tomorrow's discussion.
The sports section of the newspaper covers all the latest updates.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

organization

A distinct part or division of a large organization, such as a company or a government.

Synonyms

department, division, sector.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
section	This word is used to describe a part of something larger, such as a book, document, or organization. It can refer to smaller parts within a whole. The children's section of the library has many colorful books. Please refer to section 3.2 of the manual for detailed instructions.
department	This word is typically used in an organizational context to describe a specific area of activity or function within a company, government, or institution. She works in the marketing department of a large corporation. The history department at the university is hosting a seminar next week.
division	This term is often used in a business or military context to describe a larger, more autonomous unit within an organization or army. It suggests a higher level of organizational hierarchy than a department. He was promoted to head the European division of the company. The division was responsible for performing reconnaissance missions.
sector	This word is used to refer to a distinct part or segment of the economy, society, or a particular field of activity. The health sector is facing significant challenges due to the pandemic. She decided to shift her career to the private sector after working in government for a decade.

Examples of usage

The marketing section of the company is responsible for promoting products.
She works in the legal section of the government.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

land

A distinct area or region, especially of a city or a piece of land.

Synonyms

area, district, zone.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
section	Used when referring to a specific part of something that is divided into segments or parts. Commonly used in documents, books, and organizations. Please refer to section 3 of the manual for detailed instructions.
area	Used to describe a particular place, region, or piece of land. It is often used in a general sense. We need to find a place to meet in the downtown area. This area is known for its beautiful parks.
zone	Used when referring to an area that is designated for a specific use or characteristic, often in technical, safety, or regulatory contexts. This is a no-parking zone. We entered the restricted military zone.
district	Used when referring to an official region within a city or country, often governed by specific rules or for administrative purposes. She lives in the education district of the city. The business district is very busy during weekdays.

Examples of usage

The industrial section of the city is known for its factories.
This section of the forest is home to many rare species of animals.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'sectio', meaning 'a cutting' or 'dividing'.
In English, it began to be used in the 14th century, originally referring to a division of a broader idea.
Over time, it evolved to address not just physical divisions but also abstract ones, like sections in music or art.

Literature

In novels, sections help writers organize stories into manageable parts, often enhancing pacing.
Textbooks use sections to break down topics, making complex information easier to digest for students.
Essays commonly feature sections to present arguments logically, guiding the reader through the author’s thought process.

Education

Sections in educational materials can improve comprehension by allowing readers to focus on one idea at a time.
In classrooms, a section might refer to a specific group of students, such as those taking a particular course.
Teachers often divide lessons into sections to structure the learning experience effectively.

Law

In legal documents, sections specify clauses or provisions, ensuring clarity and organization.
Each section of a legal statute addresses a specific aspect of the law to facilitate understanding among practitioners.
Contracts often have numbered sections to delineate responsibilities, rights, and terms for the parties involved.

Technical Use

In programming, sections of code can be separated to manage functions and improve readability.
Technical documents use sections to categorize information, aiding users in locating necessary details quickly.
In architecture, sections refer to cut-through drawings that show a building’s structure and layout.

Translations

Translations of the word "section" in other languages:

🇵🇹 seção

🇮🇳 अनुभाग

🇩🇪 Abschnitt

Bereich
Sektion

🇮🇩 bagian

🇺🇦 розділ

🇵🇱 sekcja

🇯🇵 セクション

🇫🇷 section

🇪🇸 sección

🇹🇷 bölüm

🇰🇷 섹션

🇸🇦 قسم

🇨🇿 sekce

🇸🇰 sekcia

🇨🇳 部分

🇸🇮 oddelek

🇮🇸 hluti

🇰🇿 бөлім

🇬🇪 განყოფილება

🇦🇿 bölmə

🇲🇽 sección

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #146, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.

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143 get
144 set
145 however
146 section
147 never
148 old
149 few
...