segment

1 of 2

noun

seg·​ment ˈseg-mənt 

1

: a portion cut off from a geometric figure by one or more points, lines, or planes: such as

a

: the area of a circle bounded by a chord and an arc of that circle

b

: the part of a sphere cut off by a plane or included between two parallel planes

c

: the finite part of a line between two points in the line

2

a

: a separate piece of something : bit, fragment

chop the stalks into short segments

b

: one of the constituent parts into which a body, entity, or quantity is divided or marked off by or as if by natural boundaries

all segments of the population agree

segmentary

ˈseg-mən-ˌter-ē 

adjective

segment

2 of 2

verb

seg·​ment ˈseg-ˌment 

segmented; segmenting; segments

transitive verb

: to separate into segments : give off as segments

Synonyms

Noun

• member
• part
• partition
• portion
• section

Choose the Right Synonym for segment

part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole.

part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

Examples of segment in a Sentence

Noun

The railroad track is divided into segments.

I think I lost one segment of this model kit.

Verb

Market researchers have segmented the population into different age groups.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the next couple of years, the Big Three automakers (then Chrysler, GM and Ford) jumped into that segment and took over with the Plymouth Valiant, Chevrolet Corvair and Ford Falcon. —David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

For any that haven’t reached green, clicking the segment reveals exactly why and, in most cases, explains how to get a better score. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Verb

By segmenting the categories that will be the big engines this holiday, retailers will have more latitude to be more selective with their promotions. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

Labor markets have become less segmented by region and, in some cases, more remote, so techies don’t necessarily have to move to Silicon Valley and autoworkers don’t necessarily have to move to Detroit. —Erica Pandey, Axios, 1 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin segmentum, from secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1859, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing segment

• inter-segment
• sub-segment

Kids Definition

segment

1 of 2 noun

seg·​ment ˈseg-mənt 

1

: any of the parts into which a thing is divided or naturally separates : section, division

2

a

: a part cut off from a geometric figure by a line

especially : the part of a circle enclosed by a chord and an arc

b

: a part of a straight line included between two points

called also line segment

segmented

ˈseg-ˌment-əd

seg-ˈment-

adjective

segment

2 of 2 verb

seg·​ment ˈseg-ˌment 

: to separate into segments

Medical Definition

segment

1 of 2 noun

seg·​ment ˈseg-mənt 

: one of the constituent parts into which a body, entity, or quantity is divided or marked off by or as if by natural boundaries

bronchopulmonary segments

the affected segment of the colon was resected

segment

2 of 2 transitive verb

seg·​ment ˈseg-ˌment 

1

: to cause to undergo segmentation by division or multiplication of cells

2

: to separate into segments