1
a
: a geometric figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle
b(1)
: a subdivision of a defensive military position
(2)
: a portion of a military front or area of operation
c
: an area or portion resembling a sector
bilingual sector of town—
David Kleinberg
David Kleinberg
d
: a sociological, economic, or political subdivision of society
cooperation between the public and private sectors—Peter Chapman
Peter Chapman2
: a mathematical instrument consisting of two rulers connected at one end by a joint and marked with several scales
3
: a subdivision of a track on a computer disk
sectoral
adjective
ˈsek-t(ə-)rəl
sectored; sectoring
ˈsek-t(ə-)riŋ 
: to divide into or furnish with sectors
Examples of sector in a Sentence
Noun
He was assigned to the northern sector.
Data is stored on the disk in 512-byte sectors.
Recent Examples on the Web
Quintin Shepherd, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
In fact, consistently beating the S&P 500 — in good times and bad — has been difficult over recent years for individual stocks; for heavyweights in the Health Care sector including CVS, UNH, and PFE, and even for the megacap stars GOOG, TSLA, and MSFT.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2024
KeyBanc downgraded Bumble to sector weight from overweight, citing weak app store data and risks into the new year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sector 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
During the hearing, Rep. Gina Hinojosa voiced a concern shared by many of us in the education sector.
—Quintin Shepherd, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
In fact, consistently beating the S&P 500 — in good times and bad — has been difficult over recent years for individual stocks; for heavyweights in the Health Care sector including CVS, UNH, and PFE, and even for the megacap stars GOOG, TSLA, and MSFT.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Key Banc downgrades Sherwin-Williams to sector weight from overweight KeyBanc downgraded the painting company on valuation.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2024
KeyBanc downgraded Bumble to sector weight from overweight, citing weak app store data and risks into the new year.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sector
Dictionary Entries Near sector
Cite this Entry
“Sector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sector. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share