Definition of segmentnext
as in portion
one of the pieces from which something is designed to be assembled I think I lost one segment of this model kit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

segment

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word segment distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of segment are division, fragment, member, part, piece, portion, and section. While all these words mean "something less than the whole," segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage.

the retired segment of the population

Where would division be a reasonable alternative to segment?

The synonyms division and segment are sometimes interchangeable, but division applies to a large or diversified part.

the manufacturing division of the company

When can fragment be used instead of segment?

The meanings of fragment and segment largely overlap; however, fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off.

only a fragment of the play still exists

In what contexts can member take the place of segment?

While the synonyms member and segment are close in meaning, member suggests one of the functional units composing a body.

a structural member

When might part be a better fit than segment?

Although the words part and segment have much in common, part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required.

they ran only part of the way

When could piece be used to replace segment?

The words piece and segment can be used in similar contexts, but piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole.

a puzzle with 500 pieces

When would portion be a good substitute for segment?

The words portion and segment are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, portion implies an assigned or allotted part.

cut the pie into six portions

When is it sensible to use section instead of segment?

In some situations, the words section and segment are roughly equivalent. However, section applies to a relatively small or uniform part.

the entertainment section of the newspaper

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of segment
Noun
The plan was for the first one-hour segment of this Fellini documentary series to be on the actor. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 On the other hand, an agent trained on company context can see the decline, and tell whether this is because the company is deliberately winding down specific segments of the business. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
That required segmenting the coil and inserting electronics within it to keep it from radiating its energy away like an antenna. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026 If a judge overturned Tuesday’s court ruling to extend polling place times, the provisional ballots would help election officials segment out votes cast after polls were originally scheduled to close. — Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for segment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for segment
Noun
  • The historic weather pattern claimed more than a dozen homes along the shore in Long Beach, swallowing up boardwalks and portions of the Pacific Coast Highway farther south.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued smoke advisories for several areas across the region, including portions of Newport Beach to San Clemente due to the Norte fire.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • One of the animals had been fully skinned while the other had been quartered.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Which amendment prohibits quartering of troops in homes during peacetime?
    — Arthur Jones II, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Explore See latest videos, charts and news Performing as part of his 30-night residency at the New York venue, Styles paused to address the crowd before the tribute.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine's greatest fear is that the Chinese government could severely restrict its access to these critical parts.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Meta and OpenAI use virtual machines, which partition a server into several lighter virtual computers, so one server can support scores of users.
    — Kif Leswing,Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Recent history recalls plans to partition Iraq into ethnic substates.
    — David Armitage, Washington Post, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • When suggesting a link (like a link to a voter portal, tracker, or locator), provide the markdown link early in the response or at the top of the relevant section.
    — Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As the song unfolds, the drums, lead vocal, background vocals, chord movement and production all play a role in carrying and reshaping it, allowing the sections to feel distinctly different while still remaining tightly connected.
    — David Penn, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An idea is floating around to bifurcate parking meter prices, adding a surcharge of 25 to 50 cents an hour for non-Chicagoans who park in the city, according to Ald.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The screen is sometimes bifurcated between Carter’s livestream, which itself gets clogged with fan comments and emojis, and people watching it in Japan.
    — William Earl, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After Jones shined during his first start, the Gators’ quarterback decision will be scrutinized and dissected, fueling two weeks of endless conjecture leading up to the Georgia game.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • There is something fitting about seeing Deakins, whose work is so often studied and dissected by others, sitting among the audience, still looking and listening.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the case of Yemen, the ground fighters inside the country who are taking on the Houthis are deeply divided and fought each other as recently as January.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Forty years ago, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met at Höfði House, representing rival nuclear superpowers divided by decades of distrust.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Segment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/segment. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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