a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical); he always turns first to the business section; the history of this work is discussed in the next section

[ Syn: subdivision , subdivision ]

a division of an orchestra containing all instruments of the same class

a small army unit usually having a special function

a specialized division of a large organization; youll find it in the hardware department; she got a job in the historical section of the Treasury

[ Syn: department ]

a segment of a citrus fruit; he ate a section of the orange'

the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation)

[ Syn: incision , surgical incision ]

a very thin slice (of tissue or mineral or other substance) for examination under a microscope; sections from the left ventricle showed diseased tissue'

a distinct region or subdivision of a territorial or political area or community or group of people; no section of the nation is more ardent than the South; there are three synagogues in the Jewish section'

one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object; a section of a fishing rod; metal sections were used below ground; finished the final segment of the road

[ Syn: segment ]

a small team of policemen working as part of a police platoon

one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole; the written part of the exam; the finance section of the company; the BBCs engineering division

[ Syn: part , division ]

a land unit equal to 1 square mile

(geometry) the area created by a plane cutting through a solid

[ Syn: plane section ]

a small class of students who are part of a larger course but are taught separately; a graduate student taught sections for the professors lecture course

[ Syn: discussion section ]

divide into segments; segment an orange; segment a compound word

[ Syn: segment ]