sect

1 of 2

noun

ˈsekt 

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 sect

—William Shakespeare

3

a

: a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader

b

: party

c

: faction

sect

2 of 2

abbreviation

section; sectional

Synonyms

Noun

• bloc
• block
• body
• coalition
• faction
• party
• set
• side
• wing

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

She’s shunned from the sect once her purity is compromised by Joseph. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024

Marsha is on the lam from the airport police, her daughter’s sect of trampoline-bouncing enthusiasts and her own mother, who performs cosmetic surgery on pets. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 28 Feb. 2024

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

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

b

: party sense 1

c

: faction