What does section mean?
A section is a distinct part or division of a larger whole. It commonly denotes a structural unit in a document, law, report, or form, such as a chapter-like division with its own heading. The word can also refer to a designated portion of a population, an area, or an organization. In mathematics, a section may be the surface or area obtained when a plane passes through a solid. As a verb, to section something means to divide it into distinct parts or groups. Although “section” may sound formal, it is common in legal, academic, governmental, and business writing as well as in everyday descriptions of texts and physical objects. Its usefulness lies in expressing both physical division and conceptual organization: the parts need not be equal, but each is understood as a recognizable unit within the larger whole.
A distinct part, portion, or subdivision of a larger whole; also a formally designated division of a document, organization, area, or population.
"That chapter contains the section dealing with international trade."
A section is normally countable and often functions as a unit in a document, organization, or spatial arrangement.
To divide something into distinct parts or groups.
"The organizers sectioned the volunteers according to their assigned roles."
The verb is transitive and is most common in administrative, organizational, or technical contexts.
The standard plural is used for distinct subdivisions, portions, or document divisions.
"The final sections describe the changes made to the policy."
In geometry, a section can also be the flat surface produced when a plane cuts through a solid.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does section come from?
The word comes through Medieval Latin from Latin sectio, a noun meaning “a cutting” or “division,” formed from secare, “to cut.” The same Latin root underlies related English words such as secant, sector, and bisect. In English, section developed from its earlier sense of a division or portion and later acquired specialized uses in law, documents, mathematics, and organizational description.
Related word forms
How section is actually used
The word is formal but widely used in professional, legal, administrative, and academic contexts. As a verb, it is most natural when something is being organized into clearly defined groups; in a geometric context, it refers to the plane or surface produced by cutting through a solid.
Easily confused with section
A section is generally a subdivision or portion of a whole, whereas a sector is a distinct division of an organization or economy, often one defined by a particular function or activity.