Meaning & use
sect
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountablereligion
A group that has split from a larger religion, or follows a distinct set of beliefs within it.
Grammar: Usually refers to a branch of a religion: a Christian sect.
Patterns
- a sect of something
- belong to a sect
The Shakers were a small Christian sect known for their furniture.
Sunni and Shia are two major sects of Islam.
He left the sect after many years.
nouncountabledisapproving
A small group, not necessarily religious, whose members share unusual views and are somewhat separate from the main body.
Grammar: Often critical: a sect of fans.
Patterns
- a sect of something
A tiny sect of economists rejected the standard theory.
The band had a loyal sect of devoted fans.
The party was split into several rival sects.
Word forms
| plural | sects |
|---|
Common combinations
- religious sect
- A small religious sect lived in the valley.
- join a sect
- He joined a sect in his twenties.
- breakaway sect
- The breakaway sect rejected the council's authority.
- Christian sect
- Several Christian sects arrived with the early settlers.
- splinter sect
- The splinter sect rejected the leader's teachings.
Synonyms and how they differ
- denomination
- Denomination is a neutral word for a recognized branch of a religion, whereas sect can sound smaller or more separate.
- cult
- Cult usually suggests a group with extreme devotion to a leader, which is stronger and more negative than sect.
- faction
- Faction refers to a group within a political body, while sect is usually about belief.
- branch
- Branch is neutral and generic, with none of the critical sense that sect can have.
Word family
- sectarian adjective
- relating to a sect, or showing narrow loyalty to one group
- sectarianism noun
- strong loyalty to one's own group that leads to conflict with others
Commonly confused: sect or sector? sect or cult?
sect vs sector
A sector is a part of an area or economy, while a sect is a religious or belief group.
sect vs cult
A cult is more intense and controlling, while a sect is often a recognized offshoot of a religion.
Practice
The group broke away from the main church and formed its own small religious ___.
Choose one answer.
A sect is a group that separates from a larger religion. Sector and section are parts of a whole, which do not carry the religious meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sect”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.