section Definition

section
noun

1. The act or process of cutting.
2. Any of the parts into which something is or can be divided or of which it may be composed.

Thesaurus: part, division, share, slice, segment, component, fragment, piece, portion, percent; Antonym: whole, entirety.
3. geom.
The surface formed when a plane cuts through a solid figure.
4. The act of cutting through a solid figure.
5. A plan or diagram showing a view of an object as if it had been cut through.
6. A smaller part of a document, newspaper, book, etc

Example: Where's the TV section of the newspaper?
7. music.
A subdivision of an orchestra or chorus consisting of players of similar instruments or voices.
Example: the violin section
Example: the alto section
8. printing.
A mark (§) used to indicate the beginning of a section of a book or used as a reference mark.
Form: section mark (in full)
9. geol.
An exposure of rock in which the strata are cut across.
10. biol.
A thin slice of a specimen of tissue prepared for microscopic examination.
11. A subdivision of an army platoon.
12. A subdivision of a company or organization.

Example: the marketing section
13. surgery.
The act or process of cutting, or the cut or division made.
(US)
14. A land area of one square mile.
(NZ)
15. A building plot.

verb sectioned, sectioning

1. To divide something into sections.
2. To draw a sectional plan of something.
3. surgery.
To cut a section through something.
4. medicine.
To issue an order for the compulsory admission of (a mentally ill person) to a psychiatric hospital under the relevant section of mental health legislation, eg the Mental Health Act in the UK.

Etymology: 16c: from Latin secare to cut.