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
For example, prayer animal release is a practice that started in the fifth or sixth century in some sects of Buddhism. Elizabeth Carlen, The Conversation, 3 July 2025 His arrest and sentencing to a tough prison camp will likely mark the end of a sect which had lasted for more than three decades. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025 River Church is nondenominational Christian, a religious sect that's locally on the rise. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The sect emerged in the seventh century, after the Prophet Muhammad died, during a political dispute over leadership with mainstream Sunnis. Robin Wright, New Yorker, 23 June 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 20 Jul. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!