What does segmentation mean?
Segmentation is the process of dividing a whole into meaningful sections, units, or parts. Linguists use it when analyzing continuous speech or writing, separating material into sounds, syllables, words, or phrases. The term also has specialized applications in medicine, where anatomical structures are divided into regions for analysis, and in marketing, where a broad audience is divided into groups according to shared characteristics such as age, behavior, or needs. In computer vision, segmentation identifies the boundaries of objects within an image. The word suggests deliberate analysis and classification rather than a simple physical separation. It is useful whenever a complicated whole must be understood through its component parts, and it carries a broadly technical, analytical tone without being restricted to specialist speech.
nounThe process of dividing something into separate sections or units, especially for analysis. In linguistics, segmentation identifies the component sounds, syllables, words, or phrases within a continuous stream of speech or text; the term is also used in fields such as medicine, computer vision, and marketing.
- The process of dividing a whole into distinct sections or units.
- The identification of meaningful units, especially words, syllables, or sounds, within speech or text.
- The division of a market into groups of customers with similar characteristics or needs.
- The identification and outlining of distinct regions or objects in an image.
"Speech-recognition systems use segmentation to divide an audio recording into words and phrases."
"The researcher examined the segmentation of the recording into individual utterances."
"Companies use customer segmentation to tailor advertising to different audiences."
Plural use is relatively uncommon; the uncountable form is more typical when referring to the general process.
"The study compared different segmentations of the text."
Segmentation turns a continuous stream—speech, text, or imagery—into meaningful pieces that can be measured, compared, and understood.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does segmentation come from?
The word comes from Latin segmentum, meaning a piece cut off or section, which is derived from secare, “to cut.” English borrowed segment through French, and segmentation developed from that established English root during the 19th century. Related English forms include segmental and segmentary, while section belongs to the same broader Latin family of cutting-related vocabulary.
Related word forms
How segmentation is actually used
In linguistics, segmentation usually refers to separating speech or writing into smaller units. In marketing and medicine, the term is technical but broadly understood; in computer vision, it commonly refers to identifying regions or objects within digital images.