sect

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a dissenting or schismatic religious body
especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical
b
: a religious denomination
2
archaic : sex sense 1
so is all her sectWilliam Shakespeare
3
a
: a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader
b
: party
c

sect

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of sect in a Sentence

Noun one sect of medical researchers holds the minority view that the disease is not caused by that virus
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
These groups were forged in the foment of the Second Great Awakening, when idiosyncratic Christian sects abounded. Cynthia Greenlee, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Lent customs and timing vary within different Christian sects while maintaining key commonalities. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 8 Feb. 2024 Some Christian sects—most famously, the Cathars, who were sentenced to death by Pope Innocent III in the thirteenth century—later found cause to conclude that the Christly thing to do was not to procreate. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 The marquee event here was 770 Eastern Parkway (while anyone can technically walk right on in, knowing where to go and who to speak to will be up to you) a space so famous that rival sects nevertheless buy and sell toys in its image. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2024 At the Church of the Nativity, the ancient limestone basilica venerated by Christians as marking the place of Christ’s birth, hard times have helped dampen tensions between the three Christian sects that share control of its premises. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2023 There are about 400,000 Amish living across settlements in 32 states, Canada and Bolivia – Pennsylvania has one of the highest concentrations of the Mennonite sect, according to the news agency. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024 There is no reason to restrict love and success to a Bible verse of a highly specific religious sect. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Ervil allegedly chose Chynoweth and his stepdaughter, Ramona Marston, to murder Rulon Allred, a naturopathic physician and a leader of a rival polygamist Mormon sect. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English secte, from Anglo-French & Late Latin & Latin; Anglo-French, group, faction, from Late Latin secta organized ecclesiastical body, from Latin, course of action, way of life, probably from sectari to pursue, frequentative of sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sect was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sect

Cite this Entry

“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sect. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sect

noun
ˈsekt
1
a
: a religious group having beliefs that differ greatly from those of the main body
b
: a religious body consisting of members having similar beliefs
2
a
: a group of people having the same beliefs or following the same leader
c

More from Merriam-Webster on sect

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