A sect is a group of people that has separated from a larger group and has a particular set of religious or political beliefs.
Synonyms: group, division, faction, party More Synonyms of sect
sect in British English
(sɛkt)
noun
1.
a subdivision of a larger religious group (esp the Christian Church as a whole) the members of which have to some extent diverged from the rest by developing deviating beliefs, practices, etc
2. often derogatory
a.
a schismatic religious body characterized by an attitude of exclusivity in contrast to the more inclusive religious groups called denominations or Churches
b.
a religious group regarded as extreme or heretical
3.
a group of people with a common interest, doctrine, etc; faction
Word origin
C14: from Latin secta faction, following, from the stem of sequī to follow
-sect in British English
combining form
to cut or divide, esp into a specified number of parts
trisect
Word origin
from Latin sectus cut, from secāre to cut; see saw1
sect in American English1
(sɛkt)
noun
1.
a religious body or denomination, esp. a small group that has broken away from an established church
2.
any group of people having a common leadership, set of opinions, philosophical doctrine, political principles, etc., specif. a faction of a larger group
Word origin
ME secte < MFr < L secta, path, way, method, party, faction, in LL(Ec), doctrine, sect < sequi, to follow: see sequent
sect in American English2
section
-sect in American English
(sɛkt)
cut, separated
pinnatisect
Word origin
< L sectus, pp. of secare, to cut: see saw1
Examples of 'sect' in a sentence
sect
He attended weekend study groups by the sect.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Would you rather belong to a sect or a church?
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
Hence this covered independent schools and hospitals and all religious groups from churches to sects.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Or a religious sect on a pilgrimage?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
My wife had joined a religious sect.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
The series has millions of players with a devotion that would be the envy of many religious sects.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There are now nearly 1,000 followers of minority religious sects serving in the forces.
The Sun (2014)
Its leader must fight for the Union or his party becomes a minority English sect.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The "newest religious sect" had, in fact, been around for a few years.
Christianity Today (2000)
An atheist who insisted on a secular funeral, he was not interested in joining sects, groups or political parties of any kind.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
In other languages
sect
British English: sect /sɛkt/ NOUN
A sect is a group of people that has separated from a larger group and has a particular set of religious or political beliefs.
American English: sect
Arabic: طَائِفَة
Brazilian Portuguese: seita
Chinese: 宗派
Croatian: sekta
Czech: sekta
Danish: sekt
Dutch: sekte
European Spanish: secta
Finnish: lahko
French: secte
German: Sekte
Greek: αίρεση
Italian: setta
Japanese: 分派
Korean: 교파
Norwegian: sekt
Polish: sekta
European Portuguese: seita
Romanian: sectă
Russian: секта
Latin American Spanish: secta
Swedish: sekt
Thai: นิกายทางศาสนาที่แยกออกมา
Turkish: mezhep
Ukrainian: секта
Vietnamese: giáo phái
Chinese translation of 'sect'
sect
(sɛkt)
n(c)
派别(別) (pàibié) (个(個), gè)
(noun)
Definition
a group of people with a common interest or philosophy
Do you belong to some religious sect?
Synonyms
group
a radical group within the Communist Party
division
the sales division
faction
A peace agreement will be signed by the leaders of the country's warring factions.
party
opposing political parties
school
the Chicago school of economists
camp
Voters have not yet moved en masse to the Conservative camp.
wing
the liberal wing of the Democratic party
denomination
Acceptance of women preachers varies from one denomination to another.
school of thought
schism
splinter group
Additional synonyms
in the sense of camp
Definition
a group that supports a particular doctrine
Voters have not yet moved en masse to the Conservative camp.
Synonyms
faction,
group,
set,
party,
division,
section,
sector,
minority,
gang,
lobby,
bloc,
contingent,
pressure group,
junta,
clique,
coterie,
schism,
splinter group,
public-interest group (US, Canadian)
in the sense of denomination
Definition
a group which has slightly different beliefs from other groups within the same faith
Acceptance of women preachers varies from one denomination to another.
Synonyms
religious group,
belief,
sect,
persuasion,
creed,
school,
hauhau (New Zealand)
in the sense of division
Definition
a part of an organization that has been made into a unit for administrative or other reasons
the sales division
Synonyms
department,
group,
head,
sector,
branch,
subdivision
Synonyms of 'sect'
sect
Explore 'sect' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of faction
Definition
a small group of people within a larger body, but differing from it in certain aims and ideas
A peace agreement will be signed by the leaders of the country's warring factions.
Synonyms
group,
set,
party,
division,
section,
camp,
sector,
minority,
combination,
coalition,
gang,
lobby,
bloc,
contingent,
pressure group,
caucus,
junta,
clique,
coterie,
schism,
confederacy,
splinter group,
cabal,
ginger group,
public-interest group (US, Canadian)
in the sense of party
Definition
a group of people sharing a common political aim
opposing political parties
Synonyms
faction,
association,
alliance,
grouping,
set,
side,
league,
camp,
combination,
coalition,
clique,
coterie,
schism,
confederacy,
cabal
in the sense of school
Definition
a group assembled for a common purpose, such as gambling
the Chicago school of economists
Synonyms
group,
set,
circle,
following,
class,
faction,
followers,
disciples,
sect,
devotees,
denomination,
clique,
adherents,
schism
in the sense of wing
Definition
a faction or group within a political party or other organization