What does sect mean?
A sect is a group whose members share distinctive beliefs, practices, or commitments, most often religious in nature. The term can identify an organized community with its own doctrines and customs, as in “a religious sect,” but it may also carry the suggestion that the group separates itself from wider society or regards its beliefs as exclusive. Sects can be distinguished from churches or denominations primarily by their comparative size and the degree to which they maintain separate practices or leadership. Historical writers have used the word for schools of philosophy, political groups, and other coherent bodies, though religion remains its dominant modern association. In contemporary language, “sect” is often more evaluative than terms such as “community” or “denomination,” so its tone depends strongly on context and the speaker's attitude toward the group.
nounA group of people who share distinctive religious, philosophical, or political beliefs, especially one regarded by outsiders as separate from the wider society. The term can be neutral or carry a negative connotation implying separatism, exclusivity, or unconventional beliefs.
- A religious or philosophical group that separates itself from the wider community or maintains distinctive beliefs and practices.
- A relatively small, cohesive group characterized by unusual or strongly held beliefs, especially when regarded as separatist or exclusive by outsiders.
"The small sect established its own rules of worship and settlement beyond the river."
"Members of the sect were invited to study the religious texts in their original languages."
"The philosopher was dismissed as eccentric because he had founded his own sect."
The plural is used for distinct religious, philosophical, or separatist groups.
"Several rival sects competed for followers during the period."
From Latin for “a following,” a sect literally began as something pursued in common — a word whose modern history has taken a sharper edge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sect come from?
The word comes from Latin secta, meaning “a following” or “a way of living,” originally a participial form associated with sequi, “to follow.” Latin secta also came to denote a body of followers or a school of thought. English borrowed the word in the late medieval period for a religious group or faction separated from a larger church or society.
Related word forms
How sect is actually used
The word is neutral when referring to a recognized religious community but may sound critical when applied to a separatist, exclusive, or unconventional group. In modern usage it most often concerns religious or philosophical communities.
Easily confused with sect
A sect is a group defined by shared beliefs or practices, whereas a sector is a distinct part of an economy, activity, or geographical area.