sector

[ sek-ter ]

/ ˈsɛk tər /

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See synonyms for: sector / sectors on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

a distinct part, especially of society or of a nation's economy: the housing sector; the educational sector.

a section or zone, as of a city.

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

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

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.

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.

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

verb (used with object)

to divide into sectors.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of sector

1560–70; <Late Latin: sector, Latin: cutter, equivalent to of sec(āre) to cut + -tor-tor

OTHER WORDS FROM sector

sec·tor·al, adjectivesubsector, noun

Words nearby sector

section boss, section eight, section gang, section hand, section mark, sector, sectorial, secular, secular humanism, secularism, secularity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sector in a sentence

University leaders also fear the government is underestimating the resources needed for the sustainability of the sector.
UK Universities Predicted a COVID-19 Crash. They Got the Opposite|Fiona Zublin|September 17, 2020|Ozy
It is cliché in Silicon Valley to say the government’s technology lags far behind the private sector’s.
Democracy depends on Washington improving its tech|Adam Lashinsky|September 17, 2020|Fortune
Because the public sector has chosen not to fund it, says Davidson, and the nonprofit sector can’t fund it.
Online learning provider Everfi makes $100 million commitment for curriculum that pushes for social change|Michal Lev-Ram, writer|September 15, 2020|Fortune
In both states, wildfire emissions in 2020 have already surpassed those typically released by their power sectors over the course of an entire year.
California’s wildfires are producing more CO2 than its power plants|Tim McDonnell|September 14, 2020|Quartz

Aviation, tourism, and hospitality sectors worldwide will benefit once a vaccine is available to the public, Chen argued, so companies in such industries should provide financial support to the development and distribution of a vaccine.
When will a COVID vaccine be ready? The fourth quarter or early 2021, top Chinese vaccine executive says|Grady McGregor|September 11, 2020|Fortune
In some cases, public employee unions even pushed private sector unions to endorse Republicans.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats|Daniel DiSalvo|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Public sector unions create a genuine political conundrum for Democrats.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats|Daniel DiSalvo|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Public sector unions have also fractured the labor movement itself.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats|Daniel DiSalvo|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How does it happen that citizens of modest means suffer as public sector unions gain?
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats|Daniel DiSalvo|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And now, the plan is not only to decimate public-sector unions, but all unions—to deplete the money they can spend on politics.
The Next Phase of the Koch Brothers’ War on Unions|Carl Deal and Tia Lessin|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Northward, toward the Pole, were liner lanes in the higher levels, but here was a deserted sector.
Astounding Stories, May, 1931|Various
In the French sector, the greater part of the troops had crossed the Yser during the night.
Ypres and the Battles of Ypres|Unknown
In the sector held by the French troops there was little more than a heavy bombardment on either side.
Ypres and the Battles of Ypres|Unknown
The British sector extended from the north-west of Poelcappelle to Broodseinde, and formed a front of some seven miles.
Ypres and the Battles of Ypres|Unknown
You did what you were told, produced results or else, and kept your mouth shut outside your own sector of the Project.
Security|Poul William Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for sector

sector

/ (ˈsɛktə) /

noun

a part or subdivision, esp of a society or an economythe private sector

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)

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

a part or subdivision of an area of military operations

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

Derived forms of sector

sectoral, adjective

Word Origin for sector

C16: from Late Latin: sector, from Latin: a cutter, from secāre to cut

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for sector

sector

[ sĕk′tər ]

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

sector

Origin of sector

OTHER WORDS FROM sector

Words nearby sector

Words related to sector

How to use sector in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sector

Derived forms of sector

Word Origin for sector

Scientific definitions for sector