section
gb/sˈɛkʃən/ us/sˈɛkʃən/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Part of a larger whole
A part of something bigger, like a book, building, or group.
Usage pattern:
the [section] of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'section' with 'sector', but 'sector' is more often used for areas of activity or economy, not just parts of objects or documents.
Synonyms
part (A general term for a portion of something; slightly broader in scope.)
|
division (Emphasizes the act or result of dividing something.)
Antonyms
whole (Refers to the entire thing without division.)
Collocations
front section
|sports section
|cross section
|divided into sections
Themes
daily life
|organization
|reading
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The newspaper has a separate section for international news.
- Please turn to the next section of the report.
- We sat in the front section of the theater.
- This section of the wall needs painting.
- The book’s final section contains references.
Learner examples
- This section is about animals.
- I read the sports section every day.
- We are in the red section of the park.
- The cake has four sections.
- That section of the road is closed.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Specific area in a space
A clearly marked area inside a bigger space.
Usage pattern:
the [section] of [a place/building]
Synonyms
zone (Often used for designated areas with specific rules or uses.)
|
area (A general term for a physical space; less formal than 'section'.)
Antonyms
entire area (Refers to the whole space without division.)
Collocations
smoking section
|VIP section
|reserved section
Themes
daily life
|travel
|architecture
|space
|housing
Examples
- We were seated in the non-smoking section.
- The museum’s modern art section is on the third floor.
- The beach has a section reserved for water sports.
Learner examples
- We are in the green section of the stadium.
- This section is for students only.
- The park has a play section for kids.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
3
Organizational subdivision
A small group that is part of a bigger organization.
Usage pattern:
the [section] of [an organization/service]
Synonyms
unit (Common in military contexts for a small operational group.)
|
department (Larger or more formal division in organizations; not always interchangeable.)
Antonyms
organization as a whole (Refers to the full entity without subdivisions.)
Collocations
finance section
|research section
|infantry section
Themes
business
|military
|work
Examples
- She works in the marketing section of the company.
- The infantry section advanced at dawn.
- Our library’s children’s section is expanding.
Learner examples
- He is in the music section at school.
- My brother works in the IT section.
- The army has a special medical section.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
4
Cut-through diagram or slice view
A picture or slice that shows what is inside something.
Synonyms
cross-section (Specifically refers to a cut made across an object to show internal features.)
Collocations
cross section
|longitudinal section
Themes
science
|engineering
|education
Examples
- The textbook includes a cross section of the human heart.
- A longitudinal section shows the full length of the building’s interior.
Learner examples
- The book shows a cross section of a tree.
- We saw a cross section of a rock in science class.
- This diagram is a cross section of the bridge.
Verb
technical
B2
action
5
Cut something into parts
To cut something into smaller parts.
Usage pattern:
to section [something] into [parts]
Synonyms
divide (General term for separating into parts; may not involve physical cutting.)
|
slice (Usually refers to cutting into thin pieces.)
Antonyms
assemble (To put parts together into a whole.)
Collocations
section off
Themes
science
|medicine
|health
Examples
- The scientist carefully sectioned the sample for analysis.
- They sectioned the cake into equal pieces.
Learner examples
- We sectioned the paper into four parts.
- The teacher asked us to section the page.
- They will section the fruit for lunch.
Grammar
Dictionary form
section
IPA
GB/sˈɛkʃən/
US/sˈɛkʃən/
Syllables & stress
sec - tion (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: section
- Plural: section, sections
Verb
- Base: section
- 3rd Person Singular: sections
- Present Participle: sectioning
- Past: sectioned
Word family
Forms
sections
noun
sectioning
verb
sectioned
verb
Related words
subsection
noun B1
sectional
adjective
Expressions
section off
1/sˈɛkʃən ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Separate an area with barriers
To close part of a place so people cannot enter it.
Examples
- They sectioned off part of the street for repairs.
- The police have sectioned off the crime scene.