sector

American  

[sek-ter] / ˈsɛk tər /

noun

1. Geometry. a plane figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle.

2. a distinct part, especially of society or of a nation's economy.

   the housing sector; the educational sector.

3. a section or zone, as of a city.

4. Military. a designated defense area, usually in a combat zone, within which a particular military unit operates and for which it is responsible.

5. a mathematical instrument consisting of two flat rulers hinged together at one end and bearing various scales.

6. Machinery. a device used in connection with an index plate, consisting of two arms rotating about the center of the plate and set to indicate the angle through which the work is indexed.

7. Astronomy. an instrument shaped like a sector of a circle, having a variable central angle and sights along the two straight sides, for measuring the angular distance between two celestial bodies.

8. Computers. a portion of a larger block of storage, as 1/128 of a track or disk.

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verb (used with object)

1. to divide into sectors.

sector British  

/ ˈsɛktə /

noun

1. a part or subdivision, esp of a society or an economy

   the private sector

2. geometry either portion of a circle included between two radii and an arc. Area: 1/ 2 r ²θ, where r is the radius and θ is the central angle subtended by the arc (in radians)

3. a measuring instrument consisting of two graduated arms hinged at one end

4. a part or subdivision of an area of military operations

5. computing the smallest addressable portion of the track on a magnetic tape, disk, or drum store

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sector Scientific  

/ sĕk′tər /

1. The part of a circle bounded by two radii and the arc between them.

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Other Word Forms

• sectoral adjective
• subsector noun

Etymology

Origin of sector

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin, from Latin: “cutter,” from sec(āre) “to cut, divide” + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

The sector was the largest source of job creation in the U.S. last year, Jeanne Whalen writes in her piece this week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Any pullbacks in energy stocks have been shallow and short-lived, technical analysis shows, reinforcing the underlying demand and keeping the sector as a clear market leader.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The tech sector is already slamming the brakes on some of its more lavish spending, and private consumer debts are piling up.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

The healthcare sector added 76,000 jobs in March.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Thanks to their complete lack of subtlety, the whole world now knew the Jade Key must be hidden somewhere in that sector.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• district
• part
• region
• zone