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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Qumran was destroyed by the Romans, circa 73 CE, and historians believe the scrolls were hidden in the caves by a sect called the Essenes to protect them from being destroyed. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2025 The monotheistic sect recognizes the prophets of the Abrahamic faiths, including Jesus, John the Baptist, Muhammad and Moses, and reveres Greek philosophers like Plato and Socrates. Ephrat Livni, New York Times, 2 May 2025 The sect once had a presence in 18 regions of Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, and up to 30,000 members. Betiana Fernández Martino and Hira Humayan, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025 Today the rule of state is the guarantee for all sects. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sect

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sect. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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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