Word
sect
US/ˈsɛkt/
UK/sˈɛkt/
Definitions
01religious subgroup
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Religion
n. a religious group that has separated from a larger, more established religion.
n. a religious body that has separated from a larger denomination, often viewed as extreme or exclusive by the parent organization.
“The small religious sect built its own temple far away from the city.”
“Historians have long debated the influence of various ascetic sects on the development of early monastic traditions in the region.”
Usage
Often carries a slightly negative or suspicious connotation in secular contexts.
Synonyms
02ideological group
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a group of people who follow a specific leader or a particular set of strong ideas.
n. a group following a specific philosophical or political doctrine, typically one that is distinct from mainstream thought.
“A small sect of economists argued that the new tax would actually help the poor.”
“The party was eventually weakened by internal fighting between rival political sects, each claiming to represent the true spirit of the revolution.”
03astrological polarity
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Technical
n. an old way of grouping planets into day or night categories in astrology.
n. An ancient astrological concept used to classify celestial bodies as either diurnal or nocturnal based on their relationship to the horizon.
“Ancient books on the stars often mention the sect of a planet.”
“In Hellenistic astrology, the concept of sect was fundamental to determining whether a specific planet would act as a functional benefic or malefic in a chart.”
Real-World Examples
“Bawazir stressed that the Government’s fight was not against Yemenis themselves or any particular region, sect or social group.” “Her mother left the sect in the mid-Nineties, married and had two children, before returning, taking her family with her.” Etymology
From Middle English secte, from Old French secte (“a sect in philosophy or religion”), from Late Latin secta (“a sect in philosophy or religion, a school, party, faction, class, guild, band, particularly a heretical doctrine or sect, etc.”), possibly, from Latin sequi (“to follow”). Alternatively linked to sectus (“cut off, divided”), past participle of secō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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