n.

1. a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical);
   subdivision
   
   • he always turns first to the business section
   • the history of this work is discussed in the next section
2. a very thin slice (of tissue or mineral or other substance) for examination under a microscope
   
   • sections from the left ventricle showed diseased tissue
3. 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
4. one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object;
   segment
   
   • a section of a fishing rod
   • metal sections were used below ground
   • finished the final segment of the road
5. a small team of policemen working as part of a police platoon
6. one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole;
   part, division
   
   • the written part of the exam
   • the finance section of the company
   • the BBC's engineering division
7. a land unit of 1 square mile measuring 1 mile on a side
8. (geometry) the area created by a plane cutting through a solid;
   plane section
9. a division of an orchestra containing all instruments of the same class
10. a small army unit usually having a special function
11. a specialized division of a large organization;
    department
    
    • you'll find it in the hardware department
    • she got a job in the historical section of the Treasury
12. a segment of a citrus fruit
    
    • he ate a section of the orange
13. the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation);
    incision, surgical incision

v.

1. divide into segments;
   segment
   
   • segment an orange
   • segment a compound word