section
The noun form focuses on structural organization, whether physical or conceptual. It suggests a boundary that separates one part from another, creating a logical sequence or a spatial division. This makes it essential for organizing documents, laws, or architectural spaces where specific zones must be identified. As a verb, the term is highly specialized, appearing most frequently in culinary arts or biological dissection. It describes a precise method of cutting that preserves the integrity of the segment, rather than simply chopping or slicing randomly.
Countable as a part; uncountable when referring to the act of dividing.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
cross section
a representative sample or a transverse cut
We took a cross section of the population for the survey.
section head
the person in charge of a specific department
The section head approved the budget.
missing section
a part of a document or object that is gone
There is a missing section in the ancient manuscript.
sectional sofa
a piece of furniture made of separate sections
They bought a large sectional sofa for the living room.
opening section
the introductory part of a piece of work
The opening section sets the tone for the entire novel.