Sector

/ˈsɛktər/

Meaning & Definition

noun
a distinct part or branch of a nation's economy or of a particular activity.
The tech sector has seen significant growth over the past decade.
an area or portion of a larger area, often used in reference to urban planning or management.
The city council is focusing on revitalizing the commercial sector downtown.
a segment of a circle or other geometric figure, bounded by two radii and the arc between them.
In geometry class, we learned how to calculate the area of a sector.
a subdivision of a business or organization, often identified by its specific role or function.
The marketing sector is responsible for advertising and promotions.
a distinct physical or digital area, often used in computing or telecommunications.
The IT sector is responsible for managing the company's digital infrastructure.

Etymology

Latin 'sectorem', meaning 'a cutter', from 'secare', meaning 'to cut'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

public sector
The part of the economy that is controlled by the government.
private sector
The part of the economy that is run by private individuals or organizations.
sector of the economy
A way of categorizing the economy into areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, or services.

Related Words

division
The action of dividing something into parts.
industry
Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacturing.
field
An area of study or activity.

Slang Meanings

Used in business contexts to refer to a specific industry.
He's in the fintech sector, always keeping up with the latest trends.
Describes a distinct group of people or things in casual conversation.
That group is like their own sector of the school.