B2noun2K

Sector

UK /["/ˈsektə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈsektər/"]/

Definition

a part of an area of activity, especially of a country’s economy

In simple words: A part or area of something, often used in business or economy.

Examples

The economic sector has shown significant growth this year.
She works in the healthcare sector, focusing on patient services.
In geometry, a sector is a portion of a circle bounded by two radii and an arc.
The city is divided into several sectors for administrative purposes.
He was appointed to lead the energy sector transition committee.

Usage notes

Used in discussions about economy, industry, or specific areas of expertise. Avoid using in very casual conversation.

Grammar pattern

sector + of + object

Memory hint

Think of 'sector' as a 'section' in a pizza — each slice is a part of the whole.

Collocations

important
key
growing
in a/the sector
a sector of the economy
a sector of the industry
a sector of the market
rural
urban
northern
divide something into
a sector of the city
a sector of society
a sector of the population

Synonyms

industry
segment
division
field
branch

Antonyms

whole
entirety
totality

Common mistakes

Confused with 'section' - 'sector' refers to parts of industries.
Using 'sector' in informal contexts where simpler words like 'part' would fit better.
Mixing up sectors, such as 'public sector' and 'private sector' without understanding their meanings.