sector

[ sek-ter ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to divide into sectors.

sector

/ 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

sector

/ sĕk′tər /

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

Derived Forms

• ˈsectoral, adjective

Other Words From

• sector·al adjective
• subsector noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sector¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sector¹

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

Example Sentences

University leaders also fear the government is underestimating the resources needed for the sustainability of the sector.

From Ozy

It is cliché in Silicon Valley to say the government’s technology lags far behind the private sector’s.

From Fortune

Because the public sector has chosen not to fund it, says Davidson, and the nonprofit sector can’t fund it.

From 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.

From 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.

From Fortune

In some cases, public employee unions even pushed private sector unions to endorse Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

Public sector unions create a genuine political conundrum for Democrats.

From The Daily Beast

Public sector unions have also fractured the labor movement itself.

From The Daily Beast

How does it happen that citizens of modest means suffer as public sector unions gain?

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Northward, toward the Pole, were liner lanes in the higher levels, but here was a deserted sector.

From Project Gutenberg

In the French sector, the greater part of the troops had crossed the Yser during the night.

From Project Gutenberg

In the sector held by the French troops there was little more than a heavy bombardment on either side.

From Project Gutenberg

The British sector extended from the north-west of Poelcappelle to Broodseinde, and formed a front of some seven miles.

From Project Gutenberg

You did what you were told, produced results or else, and kept your mouth shut outside your own sector of the Project.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• district
• part
• region
• zone