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Sector: meaning, definitions and examples

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sector

 

[ˈsɛktər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

A sector is a specific part or area of a larger entity, such as the economy, industry, or market. It can refer to a distinct category or segment within a broader system.

Synonyms

field, industry, segment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sector

Use 'sector' to describe a broad area of the economy or a specific part of society. It is often used in business, finance, and economics to refer to different areas, such as public and private sectors.

  • The healthcare sector is growing rapidly.
  • New regulations are impacting the financial sector.
industry

Use 'industry' to talk about a particular type of business or economic activity. It often refers to companies producing similar products or services.

  • The entertainment industry has been heavily affected by the pandemic.
  • He has worked in the technology industry for over a decade.
field

Use 'field' to describe a specific area of study, work, or interest. It is often used to talk about academic disciplines or professional areas.

  • She is an expert in the field of artificial intelligence.
  • Advances in the field of medical research are promising.
segment

Use 'segment' to describe a smaller, distinct part of a market, audience, or any other grouping. It often refers to targeted groups in business or marketing contexts.

  • The company is focusing on the luxury segment of the market.
  • This product appeals to a specific segment of the population.

Examples of usage

  • The technology sector is booming with new innovations.
  • She works in the healthcare sector, focusing on patient care and wellness.
Context #2 | Noun

geometry

In geometry, a sector is a portion of a circle enclosed by two radii and the arc between them. It is like a slice of the circle.

Synonyms

portion, segment, slice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sector

used to describe a distinct part of a economy, company, or other area of activity

  • The technology sector is growing rapidly.
  • Healthcare is a crucial sector for the nation's well-being.
slice

normally used to describe a thin, flat piece cut from something larger, often used in food or metaphorically in data

  • She took a slice of cake.
  • The company wants a bigger slice of the market share.
portion

refers to a part of something larger, typically emphasizing a share or serving size

  • He ate a large portion of the pizza.
  • Only a small portion of the population can afford luxury items.
segment

used to refer to a part that is divided from the whole, often in context of markets or media

  • They targeted a specific segment of the market with their new product.
  • The advertising campaign was aimed at a younger segment of the audience.

Examples of usage

  • The pizza was divided into eight equal sectors for sharing.
  • The playground had a circular sector designated for outdoor activities.
Context #3 | Noun

military

A sector in military terms refers to a specific area or portion of a battlefield assigned to a particular unit or commander for defense or offense.

Synonyms

area, territory, zone.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sector

Used to refer to a distinct part of a society or an economy, or an area of activity, especially in technical, economic, or professional fields.

  • The technology sector is growing rapidly.
  • Public health is a vital sector in any country.
area

This word is broad and can be used to refer to a physical or conceptual space, or a part of an interest or activity.

  • The playground is in the central area of the park.
  • Mathematics is her area of expertise.
zone

Typically refers to a specific area that is different from surrounding areas in some way, often used in urban planning, environmental, or safety contexts.

  • This zone is restricted to authorized personnel only.
  • They live in a low-crime zone.
territory

Commonly used to describe a geographical region, especially when discussing land that is owned or controlled by a particular country, group, or institution.

  • Canada has a lot of uncharted territory in the north.
  • The wolves are very protective of their territory.

Examples of usage

  • The troops were deployed to secure the northern sector of the battlefield.
  • The air force targeted enemy positions in the western sector.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'sectus', meaning 'to cut', reflecting the idea of dividing something into parts.
  • Originally used in mathematics and geometry, it referred to a section of a circle before expanding to other uses.
  • In the 18th century, the term began to be applied broadly, including in areas like economics and industry.

Economics

  • The economy is generally divided into three main sectors: primary (raw materials), secondary (manufacturing), and tertiary (services).
  • As economies develop, there’s often a shift from primary production to more focus on the tertiary sector.
  • The growing technology sector is a key driver in contemporary economies, creating jobs and influencing productivity.

Geography

  • In geographical terms, a sector can describe areas of urban planning, such as residential, commercial, or industrial zones.
  • Cities often use sector-based models to organize resources and structure growth effectively, aiding in transportation and services.
  • The concept of sectors also applies to environmental science, identifying areas for preservation or development.

Education

  • Educational sectors can refer to the different levels of education, such as primary, secondary, and higher education.
  • Curricula are often structured by sectors to prepare students for specialized fields of study.
  • Understanding different sectors of education helps in analyzing progress and areas in need of improvement.

Technology

  • In information technology, 'sector' describes divisions on a hard disk where data is stored.
  • Computer networks can also be organized by sector based on functions—like administrative, research, and operations sectors.
  • The tech sector is rapidly evolving, impacting other sectors through innovations like artificial intelligence and big data.

Translations

Translations of the word "sector" in other languages:

🇵🇹 setor

🇮🇳 क्षेत्र

🇩🇪 Sektor

🇮🇩 sektor

🇺🇦 сектор

🇵🇱 sektor

🇯🇵 セクター

🇫🇷 secteur

🇪🇸 sector

🇹🇷 sektör

🇰🇷 섹터

🇸🇦 قطاع

🇨🇿 sektor

🇸🇰 sektor

🇨🇳 部门

🇸🇮 sektor

🇮🇸 geiri

🇰🇿 сектор

🇬🇪 სექტორი

🇦🇿 sektor

🇲🇽 sector

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,519, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.